On Saturday 25th November, Aspire held its annual Swim Celebration Dinner to celebrate the outstanding swimming and fundraising achievements of this year’s open water swimmers.  2023 saw 11 successful Relay Channel crossings, 3 successful Solo Channel swims, 36 Solent swimmers, 3 Loch Ness relay teams, 7 Sealand swimmers and our first North Channel relay, all of which raised a combined total of over £440k to support people with Spinal Cord Injury.

Over 100 swimmers attended the event, which was held for the first time at the Grim’s Dyke Golf Club in Watford. Following a welcome drink, guests were seated for a three course meal and presentation of awards for their swimming achievements, including our volunteer boat leaders (pictured below) who do a fantastic job supporting their relay teams across the Channel.

Boat leaders 2023

The guest speaker was Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson who gave an entertaining talk about her life and career as one of Britain's greatest Paralympic athletes, with 11 gold medals as well as winning the London Marathon wheelchair race five times.  

View photos from the evening

Swimmers at the Swim Celebration Dinner Swimmers at the Swim Celebration Dinner 

Swimmers at the Swim Celebration Dinner Swimmers at the Swim Celebration Dinner

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