This week, swimmers around the UK begin swimming in their local pool as part of this year’s Aspire Channel Swim.  Now in its 16th year, the event challenges participants to swim 22 miles in their local pool over 12 weeks, whilst raising funds to help provide practical help to people who have been paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury

It’s not too late to sign up and join the 3,000 swimmers around the UK who are already taking part.  The event is open to swimmers of all ages, who swim either individually or as part of a team.  There is no registration fee and everyone who signs up receives a free welcome pack in the post. 

In 2015, 3,500 swimmers raised £425,000 and this year Aspire hopes to raise over £450,000. To date, £58,000 has already been raised by fundraisers in the lead up to the challenge.  Zoggs is the official partner for the event for the 6^th year in a row and will be offering great prizes to all those who raise funds during their swim. 

To sign up go to www.aspirechannelswim.co.uk.

Brian Carlin, CEO of Aspire, comments: “We are proud to be launching the 16^th Aspire Channel Swim, Aspire’s largest fundraising event, which goes from strength to strength each year.   There are 26% more swimmers signed up as of today than on launch day last year.  Every eight hours someone is paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury; it can happen to anyone at any time and no one is prepared for how it will change their life.  Funds raised from the Aspire Channel Swim go towards providing practical support for those affected, helping them move from injury to independence.”