This week (17th August), 18-year-old Finya Lang, from Hove, successfully swam the English Channel solo in an extraordinary test of endurance and determination. Finya took on this challenge to support Mencap, the learning disability A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things. charity, and raise vital funds for its work.
The teenager swam from Samphire Hoe, Kent, to La Sirène in France in an astonishing 12 hours and 8 minutes.
Her achievement came exactly 100 years after American swimmer Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to complete the crossing in August 1926. Her pioneering achievement continues to inspire generations of swimmers, including Finya.
Funds raised through Finya's swim will support children aged 0 to 2 taking part in Tameside Mencap's Family Engagement Programme helping to provide inclusive, SEND-friendly swimming lessons that build water confidence and essential life skills. The specialist sessions support young children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), helping them build water confidence and essential life skills.
Finya Lang, said: "Swimming the Channel was an incredible challenge. For the first 10 hours the conditions were calm and peaceful, but the final two hours were much tougher, with changing conditions and a very difficult landing.
“Swimming is such an important life skill and everyone should have access to it, which is why I took on this challenge to support Mencap's Splash classes and help more children experience Experience is when you have learned or tried something before. the confidence, joy and sense of achievement that swimming has given me throughout my life."
Finya's achievement was the culmination of months of rigorous training, resilience and determination. She trained under the guidance Guidance means being given clear instructions to be able to do something well. of renowned open-water swimmer Nikki Pope, whose coaching has helped numerous swimmers and relay teams successfully complete the iconic crossing.
Adding to the emotion of the achievement, Finya's father travelled from Switzerland and arrived just in time to witness her land on the French coast after completing the challenge. This was a particularly special moment given that swimmers attempting Channel crossings rarely have the opportunity to meet family members at the point of landing.
Finya has already raised an incredible £7,000 for learning disability charity Mencap and is now within touching distance of her £10,000 fundraising goal.
Swim Coach, Nikki Pope, said: “Fortune favours the brave. Finya was offered the opportunity to accept a swim on a very strong spring tide a month before the planned date. I respect Respect means showing someone you think about someone's feelings, wishes or rights. Finya’s courage in accepting what to many would have been an impossible swim.
“You never quite know where you’re going to land with these swims. She was astounded to find her father was able to meet her exactly at the spot where she landed in France. That’s never happened before in all my years of supporting swims across The Channel. It was a magical end to an incredible feat for an amazing cause. She hasn’t quite reached her target, and we’d be grateful to anyone who could donate to support her efforts.”
Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive at learning disability charity Mencap, said: “Huge congratulations to Finya for embracing this remarkable challenge, made even more special as it comes exactly 100 years after Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim the Channel.
“We are incredibly proud of you. Mencap's work would not be possible without the unwavering commitment of our fundraisers, whose passion and determination inspire us every day. Challenges like this help us continue supporting people with a learning disability and their families.”
Support Finya’s epic fundraising goal today: https://www.justgiving.com/page/finya-lang-channel-swim?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
You can find out more about Mencap and the work it does to support people with a learning disability here.
Note to editors
About Mencap
There are 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK and they deserve to live their life to the full. So Mencap supports people with a learning disability to succeed in the things that matter to them. To ensure that people with a learning disability are not left behind at any stage of their life, we campaign A campaign is when people work together to try to change something. for a fairer society; work with families and partners to build inclusive communities; and we deliver person-centred services. We’ve spent 80 years changing lives. Now, with Mencap 2030, we’re changing the future.
What is a learning disability?
A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability which affects someone for their whole life. Typically, people with a learning disability need more time to learn and process information. They may need extra support to develop skills, complete tasks and interact with others, or they may have more complex needs requiring round-the clock care. The level of support needed is different for everyone and may change during a person’s lifetime.
Learning disability is NOT a mental illness or a learning difficulty. Often, the term ‘learning difficulty’ is wrongly used in place of ‘learning disability’. Having a learning difficulty (such as ADHD or
dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty. People who have dyslexia can find it hard to read, write and spell.
) may mean a person learns at a different pace or in a different way BUT – unlike a learning disability - it does not affect a person’s intellect.
With the right support, most people with a learning disability can lead happy, healthy, independent lives. At Mencap, it’s our mission to remove societal barriers and shatter misconceptions to make this more possible for more people.
Mencap’s guide to reporting on Learning Disability
When it comes to creating content with people with a learning disability, we know many people feel nervous about saying and doing the wrong thing. Our guide for journalists, covers everything from up-to-date facts and figures to the right language to use. It also includes tips on how to work with people with a learning disability to gather the best content.
For further information, please contact Mencap’s media team on: [email protected] or 02076 965414 (including out of hours).
