Over the last few months, the Mencap Marvels, a group of 30 dedicated swimmers from all walks of life, have tackled the English Channel to raise money for learning disability charity Mencap. The money raised from the incredible 21-mile swim will support Mencap’s vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

On Saturday 14 September 2024, the ‘Awesome Mencap Marvels’ squad, made up of swimmers from Yorkshire and the United States, completed their Channel swim in an incredible 12 hours and 19 minutes. The swim can take anywhere between seven to twenty-seven hours to complete, and each swimmer took turns to brave the water, which made it a real team effort.

Swimmers Nick Boaz, Ryan Browning, Peter Solc and Katie Horvath spent months rigorously training for the challenging swim with pool sessions and numerous open-water swims to prepare for the unique challenges they faced in the Channel, including cold, murky, and choppy waters.  

To date, the Marvels have a one hundred per cent success rate in charity relay swims, with five other Mencap Marvel squads successfully completing their Channel swims this summer.  

The 2024 squads have already raised an impressive £55,334 this year alone, collectively contributing to a total of over £182,000 since Marvels co-founder Nikki Pope began fundraising for Mencap in 2005. The Mencap Marvels completed their first swim in 2020. Every penny raised will go towards funding Mencap’s work, helping people with a learning disability lead happy and healthy lives.

Nick Boaz, ‘Awesome Mencap Marvels’ Captain, said:  

“Beyond raising money, we hope this challenge helps to raise awareness for Mencap and the incredible work they do. Many of us swimming in the Marvels have a personal connection to the charity, just as I do. My sister has a learning disability and Mencap has been a great support to our family. We really want to help raise both awareness and the funds that make a difference for people with a learning disability.”

Mary O’Hagan, Interim Executive Director of Fundraising at Mencap said:  
"We are hugely inspired by the dedication our Mencap Marvels swimmers have shown in taking on this incredible challenge. The funds they raise will support Mencap’s vital work, including our efforts to campaign for the rights of people with a learning disability.”

To find out more about the Mencap Marvels or to donate, please visit their JustGiving page.  

4 adults lined up on a pier holding a banner that says mencap

 

4 adults lined up on a boat holding a banner that says mencap
4 adults lined up at the shore holding a banner that says mencap

-ENDS-          

For further information or to arrange an interview with a Mencap spokesperson or case study , please contact Mencap’s media team on: media@mencap.org.uk or 02076965414 (including out of hours).        

Notes to editors:  

About  Mencap:    

Mencap exists to ensure the UK is the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We support people directly and campaign with people with a learning disability, their families and carers. We work to change laws, increase representation and campaign for better health, social care and employment opportunities for the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK.

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 ) 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.