This year, our group of six friends are participating in a 24 hour outdoor swim relay to raise money for Level Water – a charity who provide swimming lessons for disabled kids.

From noon on the 19th September, one of us will enter chilly Lake 32 in Gloucestershire on the hour... every hour... for an entire day... swimming laps of the course and keeping the relay going. That means we'll be getting into our already-wet gear in the middle of the night and swimming in the deep, dark water. We'll be sharing tents and sleeping in shifts when we're not cheering each other on. We'll be toasting marshmallows at 3AM, trying to warm up before the next swim, and hoping we can make it out unscathed. We'll welcome the sunrise and remember it's not over yet as there's still 6 hours to go. It's a big challenge, and to be honest we're all a bit nervous!

'Only Fins' is our suitably silly name for a rag-tag bunch of swimmers... we met whilst taking open water swimming lessons at our local lake three years ago. Without the freezing springtime dips (cue lots of screaming!) and glorious warm summer sojourns around the lake, most of us would have never met. Our friendship has brought us joy, support and connection. It means a lot to all of us...

Which is why we're excited to be raising money for Level Water. This amazing charity provides swimming lessons for kids who haven't been able to learn to swim in 'normal' lessons. They may have physical disabilities, neurodivergence, or learning disabilities; many cannot participate in other sports and swimming can give them so much. A large proportion of the families Level Water helps has tried to get their children swimming the traditional way, but it's not worked out. These one-to-one lessons are so important, providing an opportunity for learning in an empowering way. Not only is swimming an important life skill for safety, but it's also great low impact exercise, can transform children's confidence, and as we know ourselves from our love of the water, it feels good! We don't want these kids to miss out on something we've benefited so much from. Swimming can and should be inclusive for all abilities.

Every £15 you donate funds one life-changing lesson. That’s why your support means so much. Please consider donating if you can. And wish us luck with the big swim!