👋 Hi, I’m Rory Kaye

This year I’ve set myself a series of marathon swimming challenges to raise money for Mencap.

If you get time, please read "my updates". All the info about my swim journey in the last 12 months is there.

💜 Why Mencap?

If I achieve my fundraising target, the money I raise will cover the costs for a years swimming programme for SEND children under 5 years old in the Manchester area. (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). Without the support of Mencap they may not get the chance to learn to swim. The costs include pool hire, a lifeguard and a qualified disability swimming coach. I've benefitted so much from swimming and really want everyone to have the opportunity to learn to swim.

🌊 Swimming the English Channel Solo

To officially swim the English Channel, you must be 16 years old. I will start my swim on my 16th birthday (September 4th) or as soon as we get a good weather window.

The distance is 21 miles direct, but the reality is I’ll swim much, much further taking a “zig zag” course because of the currents.

I’ll be swimming in cold water, strong currents, with jellyfish, possible tankers, and darkness.

My longest swim so far is 8 hours in Dover Harbour (14-15 degrees). The Channel will take anything from 12 or 13 hours to 20! It's a huge step up, and honestly, I’m a bit scared about it.

This challenge is going to push me to my limits both physically and mentally, but I believe I can do it if the weather and conditions are kind.

I'm lucky to have an amazing support team behind me — Nikki, Cate, Ben, my headmaster Mr Allen, Mr Rangayah, everyone at Beech Hall Swim squad, the wider school community, and all the friends I’ve met through swimming from as far away as Taiwan!

A big thank you to everyone!

📅 My complete list of swim challenges for 2025

• ✅ Lake Windermere Solo – completed on 29th June in 5 hours and 54 minutes

• ✅ English Channel Relay swim with Beech Hall Mencap Marvels - completed on 24th August in tough conditions (Spring tide) 12 hours 32

• ✅ Solo English Channel swim - (CSA ratified) Completed!! in 12 hours 26 minutes on 1st October.

• ✅ Bonifacio Strait Solo swim (October 2025 – Corsica to Sardinia 14 km) - Completed 20 October!

🧊 Qualification and Training

The Channel is cold, there is a risk of hypothermia so the Channel Swimming Association have strict qualification in place.

As part of my training this year I have completed:

• ✅ 10 x Relay Qualifying Swims (2 hours in <15.5 degrees)

• ✅ 4 x Solo Qualifying Swims (6 hours in <15.5 degrees)

• ✅ 1 x 8 Hour Solo Qualifying Swim (< 15 degrees to support a friend)

• ✅ Many back to back swims (Marathon swims on consecutive days)

• ✅Cold water conditioning and lots of jellyfish stings.

🙏 Please Support Me

If you can donate anything at all, I’d be incredibly grateful. It will mean so much to me, to Mencap, and to the families they help.

If you can share my story that would be amazing, so we can raise more awareness and hopefully money for Mencap!

Thank you so much!

— Rory