Makala Swims the English Channel

Hi, I'm Makala, a keen open water swimmer who around 5 years ago found the Bluetits and lost my wetsuit, I could never have imagined on that first swim how much my life was going to change, and when I say changed I don't mean a little.

I suffered from depression and anxiety for many years, when I turned 48 I decided it was time to change things and took up training for triathlons and ultra running, it was a massive help more than I could have hoped for.

In October 2018 a Facebook post led me to the Bluetits and was hooked from my first swim - I had a clear head, no thought of anything other than......wow it's cold, breathe breathe....a quiet mind is not something I could ever remember having, I just knew was going to help me heal.

5 years of being a Bluetit has helped me in so many ways it has given me the confidence to see a counsellor, and to change my path.

With the support and investment from Bluetits HQ I became an open water swim coach, a Bluetit Swim Walk Guide and I support and encourage 20 other Bluetit swim coaches. This would never have happened if I hadn't taken that first plunge.

I really feel like it's time to pay this investment in me forward......

On July 9th 2023 I will be taking on the English Channel swim, 21 miles of me and the sea, a massive mental and physical challenge.

Sea safety is part of my job now and with an ever-growing community it's something important to The Bluetits and we would love to make water safety training available to volunteers across the organisation.

Training costs the organisation around £300 per volunteer so I've set myself the target of raising enough to train 21 volunteers, that's one for every mile of the English Channel.

You'll see in the information that some of the Bluetit Flocks have decided to join my fundraising team and set up their own 'Channel Challenge' each thinking of fun ways to clock up the 21 miles in their own groups.

If you fancy joining me maybe you can do a swim in your group too so every group can benefit?