School hosting 24-hour swimathon as youngsters gear up for Channel challenge
Schoolchildren are preparing to swim the English Channel.
This summer, Beech Hall School's Mencap Marvels relay swim team will attempt to swim from England to France to raise money for Mencap, a charity supporting people with learning disabilities.
To get the fundraising ball rolling, they are inviting the public to take part in SwimFest, a 24-hour swimathon organised by Cherrie Taylor.
She said: "This is a fantastic community event with a big goal – we want to help the Mencap Marvels smash their target and celebrate the incredible impact they've already had.
"Every swimmer, supporter and donation will make a real difference to people with a learning disability and their families."
Cherrie's son, 16-year-old Gio Taylor, tried out for the Mencap Marvels back in 2023.
The following year he was part of the team that swam the Channel, achieving the fastest and youngest junior team relay time.
"As his training progressed, I witnessed him rise to every challenge with courage and dedication," Cherrie said.
"It became apparent swimming was teaching him far more than the ability to cross the channel- it was teaching him real life skills.
"I am unbelievably proud of all of his achievements.
"As a neurodiverse young man, the work that Mencap does resonates with Gio and, as a family, we are proud to support such an amazing charity."
The SwimFest gets underway at Beech Hall School at 5pm on Friday (June 20), with teams and individuals challenge to swim in relay for 24 continuous hours.
Funds raised will contribute to the Mencap Marvels' Channel relay challenge, which they will complete later this year.
James Allen, headmaster of Beech Hall School, said: "Our squad started as non-elite swimmers but have trained tough — in ice, in the sea, and through the night — and are now preparing for their Channel swim. If they succeed, what else can they do?
"We've already seen swimming success translate to better academic ability, but for many of our students this is just the start of a lifetime of learning how to achieve."
Nikki Pope, head coach of the Mencap Marvels and an English Channel soloist, added: "We set up the Mencap Marvels to create funds for Mencap, and whilst this continues to be vital, we had not expected the huge transformational benefits for the swimmers in our squad.
"SwimFest enables everyone to participate in a swim challenge, and hopefully that will be a gateway to many more adventures — as well as supporting Mencap."
Click here to register for SwimFest or visit Mencap Marvels' JustGiving page here.
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