After last year’s calf-burning, lung-busting, energy-sapping attempt at the Welsh 3000s, I’ve decided to trade breathy summits for breast stroke in 2025! This year, I’m stepping (or swimming!) into a very different kind of challenge: the Arla Great North Swim on 13th June 2025.
That’s right – 1 mile of open water swimming in the beautiful, unpredictable waters of the Lake District’s Lake Windermere. I’ll be representing the Travel Village Group as part of our ongoing commitment to support the incredible work of Reuben’s Retreat – a charity very close to our hearts. The Arla Great North Swim is the UK’s biggest open water event, bringing together thousands of swimmers of all levels. It’s a serious physical and mental test – not just about fitness, but also about confidence, cold water, and keeping going when every muscle tells you to stop. Whilst I’m no stranger to the lake, from many a day spent paddleboarding, I tend to spend my time on the water rather than in it. It’s unlike anything I’ve done before… and that’s exactly why I’m doing it.
Reuben’s Retreat is a charity that supports families of complexly poorly children and those who have lost a child – offering a sanctuary of support, counselling, and memory-making experiences. Their mission, born from tragedy, has grown into a lifeline for so many others. It’s a cause that resonates deeply with us at the Travel Village Group, which is why we proudly named them our official charity partner in 2023. From the very beginning, we’ve been inspired by their compassion, resilience, and the real difference they make to families facing the unthinkable.
Training at Wyresdale Park, and even in some rather spicy conditions at Coniston, has been crucial to my training leading up to the event. And, while I’ve missed the mountains (just a little!) so far this year, I’m excited to be diving into something totally new. If you’d like to support my swim and this amazing cause, you can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/tvg-great-north-swim-2025
