On the 17th August, 18-year-old Finya took on the enormous challenge of swimming the English Channel. This is one of the hardest challenges in the world and through shear strength and determination Finya took on this challenge solo, completing it in a remarkable 12 hours and 8 minutes.

Finya has raised over £8,000 so far and is a stone’s throw away from reaching her target of £10,000. These funds will help Tameside Mencap’s Family Engagement Programme offer inclusive, SEND-friendly swimming lessons, supporting young children to build water confidence and learn vital life skills.

Her resolve and commitment to Mencap is truly inspiring, last year she took on a English Challenge Relay Swim as part of Mencap Marvels and raised £2,000. Thank you to Finya for your continued devotion to Mencap and supporting people with a learning disability .

Well done Finya for your hard work and good luck to the Mencap Marvels who will take on the English Channel Relay Swim. 

Girl holding medal

How your fundraising makes a difference

£7

answers a call from someone in crisis who reaches out to our Learning Disability Helpline for support.

£25

helps a trained caseworker stop a parent's loved one from being wrongfully locked up in a mental health hospital.

£50

helps pay for urgent legal support for a family in desperate need of advice to prevent their loved one being admitted to an in-patient unit.