Swim a mile for Mencap

Friday 15 July 2011

Mencap is gearing up for its swimming fundraising event, the Mencap Mile

The Mencap Mile is a mile long open-water swim at the Olympic and Paralympic venue, Dorney Lake, in Windsor. It will take place on 24 July from 3pm.

Swimmers of all abilities are invited to take part, with the aim of completing the mile within one hour. Participants are encouraged to raise a minimum of £50 in sponsorship, but this is not compulsory.

All sponsorship funds raised will go straight to Mencap, so the charity can help more people with a learning disability, their families and carers. It will also support Mencap’s campaigns, such as the recent disability hate crime campaign, ‘Stand by me’.

DJ and Mencap ambassador Jo Whiley, who was a competitive swimmer in her youth, is supporting the event. “It's great to see people taking to the water to support Mencap,” she says “I used to swim competitively when I was younger and still love it. I can think of no better way to raise much-needed funds for Mencap than challenging yourself and signing up for the Mencap Mile.”

David Candler, president of the Swimming Teachers Association says: “The Mencap Mile is a fantastic event to encourage more people to get back into swimming, and where better to hold it than the Olympic and Paralympic venue, Dorney Lake. A mile might not seem like a long swim, but when it’s in open water it means overcoming challenges, such as swimming in unheated water or battling with a tide – it’s a great achievement for all those who complete it.”

Everyone who takes part in the event will receive a fundraising pack, training guidelines, a swimming cap, a goodie bag and a medal. Trophies will also be given on the day for the top male swimmer, top female swimmer, top team and top fundraiser.

Find out more or register to take part in the Mencap Mile

Read David Candler’s top 10 tips for open water swimming