Support Matt on his extraordinary challenge

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On the 8^th of July 2023, Matt Dawson, a valued trustee of Access Sport, is taking on the impressive challenge of consecutively swimming the 13 publicly accessible lakes in the English Lake District, which equates to just over 70kms of swimming! To make this already incredible challenge even harder, Matt will be attempting to break the current record of 41 hours.

Matt will be raising money for Access Sport supporting our new inclusive swimming offer. Our offer will create an environment where disabled children (under 18) can learn how to swim and be safe in water.

Swimming is an essential life skill that also supports many other areas of childhood development. In addition to its health and mental benefits, it contributes to self-esteem and confidence, improves concentration, sleep, and relaxation. It is an activity that families can engage in together and participants become part of a community of swimmers. Importantly, it also supports access to other water-based activities, such as canoeing, sailing or water skiing and many more.

There is a growing need for inclusive swimming activities in the UK. As disabled people are routinely excluded from mainstream swimming activity. Disabled children are three times less likely to participate in swimming as non-disabled children. Due to poor experiences in their early years, disabled people often lack the confidence and skills to swim and be safe in and around water in later life.

The projects aim is for all new inclusive activity to become fully embedded and sustainable in the local swimming organisations. The project will train, upskill, and empower swimming instructors to adopt and promote inclusive practices throughout their clubs/ organisations.

Matt has been dedicated to training six to seven times per week doing multiday swims, both in the pool and open water. There has been a significant amount of planning and training that has gone into this challenge with his support crew to make sure everything runs smoothly on the day.

This is the longest non-stop challenge he has ever done, so just completing this will be a huge challenge. Please support Matt on his remarkable challenge through donating to his JustGiving page below:

Support Matt