Swim For Peace
Please join me to Swim For Peace to raise money to help relieve suffering during the Israel Gaza War
Raising money for The British Red Cross.
Last year I held a virtual event to fundraise for Ukraine. This year as I watch the horrific events and human misery unfolding in the Israel Gaza conflict I feel I need to do more to help. As the death toll in the conflict exceeds 10,000, including well over 4,000 innocent children, many thousands more people have been injured. Over a million are homeless, without power or water, starving and in fear of their lives.
Many thousands of animals including cats, dogs and donkeys are also being abandoned, killed or left injured, suffering and without food, water or care.
The idea of this virtual event is not to cast blame or measure the value of one life against another but only to raise funds to help relieve the suffering of the innocent caught up in the horrors of this war. No matter what you feel about either side in the conflict, if you agree that this loss of life and the scale of suffering is unacceptable then please join me to SWIM FOR PEACE!
When you enter you will receive a handmade Welsh slate Swim For Peace token. This comes with a long recycled plastic ribbon, like a medal, but you can shorten it to make it into an ornament or remove it to make a paperweight or coaster if you prefer something useful! It is 7cm wide. You can also choose to enter at a reduced price and not receive the slate token.
The British Red Cross
More than 21,500 volunteers and 4,100 staff at the British Red Cross work together to help individuals and communities prepare for, cope with and recover from emergencies.
The British Red Cross are on the ground right now in Israel and Gaza where people are in desperate need of help. Humanitarian needs are only set to increase and people will need much more support in the weeks and months to come. Donations will go towards helping people most affected by the conflict.
The British Red Cross are a humanitarian charity that stands for neutrality and impartiality in times of crisis – they are not there to take sides, they are simply there, where they are needed most, to help relieve suffering.
About Swim For Peace
‘Every hour, 15 people are killed, 6 of them are children’
Swim For Peace is a challenge that you can complete wherever you like, any time up to 31st January. The challenge is based on the number 15 and you can choose your own challenge. Some ideas for your challenge include:
- Join my Virtual Peace Swim on 15th Dec (see below)
- Complete 15 swims by 31st December
- Swim 15km over 15 days
- Do 15 dips in 15 days
- Complete a 1.5km swim
- Swim with 15 friends
- Swim in 15 different places
It does not have to be swimming! You can walk, run or cycle instead!
Virtual Peace Swim on 15th December
On December 15th (or any other time if you can’t make the 15th! we will also hold a Virtual Peace Swim! For this you just need to do a swim on 15th Dec (or whenever you can around that time) and take a photo of yourself holding a sign that says ‘Peace’, ‘Love Not War’, ‘Swim for Peace’ or a picture of a peace symbol, or, whatever has meaning for you at this time. Email your picture to events@loveswimrun.co.uk and I will add them to a Virtual Peace Swim Page on the website where we will stand in solidarity in our wish for an end to war.
How to enter
The challenge will run until 31st December 2023 and you can join in at any point or just join in for the Virtual Peace Swim! Choose a challenge that is the best fit for you and make a start!
You can do your swims anywhere – indoor or out! Go wetsuit or non-wetsuit, we really don’t mind as long as you are safe! Many organised open water swimming venues are staying open though the winter so check to see if there are any local to you.
There are no age limits! You can sign yourself up, sign up a friend, your kids, or your dog! Do it alone or complete it as a challenge with some friends or family!
Price
PRICE:
UK Entry: £10.00 per person
International Entry: £12.00 per person
Anywhere entry with NO SLATE MEDAL: £6 per person
PRICE INCLUDES: Your entry to Swim For Peace, a Welsh slate medal and postage. This is not for profit and minimum £5 from your entry will go to The British Red Cross. I’ll be making the slates myself to reduce costs and will not make a penny. All money raised after costs will go to charity.
Entries close on 31st December 2023.
If you’d prefer to skip the challege but would still like to make a donation to The Red Cross you can do so HERE!
See FAQ below for more info about the cost of the entry.
How to sign up
- Please read the terms and conditions at the bottom of this page.
- Click on the button below and choose the option you require
– If you are not in the UK you should choose the International option.
– If you do not want the slate token/medal please select the NO MEDAL option (for UK and International participants). - IMPORTANT: Make sure the address you provide in Paypal is the same as you’d like the medal to be posted to. If you supply the wrong address we cannot replace lost medals!
Do I have to swim?
No! You can walk, run, cycle, or any other activity you like instead. It’s all about taking part so feel free to make up your own challenge!
Do I have to swim outdoors?
No! You can swim in a swimming pool.
Where can I do my swim?
You can complete your swim anywhere you want – in the sea, a lake, river, pool, pond, steam, waterfall, puddle…
Can I wear a wetsuit?
Yes of course, no problem! You can wear as much neoprene as you need to get you swimming!
Who can enter?
Anyone! I would ask that if your child (under 16) wants to enter that they should complete their challenge under the supervision of a parent/guardian but apart from that there are no restrictions. Just get out there and swim! By entering our challenge you are agreeing that any injury or damage that is caused by completing your race is your own responsibility. Love SwimRun Ltd will not be held responsible for any accidents or injury that occurs during your swims.
I’m not in the UK, can I still enter?
Of course! Although we do have to charge a small extra postage fee to anyone entering from outside of the UK. Just make sure you choose the ‘International’ option when you enter.
Can I collect donations or sponsorship for The British Red Cross while I do my challenge?
Yes! Please do. The best way to do this so the money goes directly to The British Red Cross is to set up a Just Giving page for your challenge. People can use that to sponsor you. Go to www.justgiving.com.
Do I need to send you evidence of completing my challenge?
No you don’t need to prove that you’ve done your chosen challenge, but I’d love to see photos of you doing the Virtual Peace Swim or to hear from you about your experiences. Please email me at events@loveswimrun.co.uk. Or you can tag me on social media @loveswimrun
When will I get my token/medal?
I will make and send out your token once you enter. It may take up to 2 weeks to receive it but I aim to get them posted out as quickly as possible. Please note that if you have given us an incorrect address or if you move house and fail to notify us of your address change (therefore your patch is sent to the wrong address or is not received at all) then I will be unable to send out a replacement without a charge.
How do you know where to send my token/medal?
They will be sent to the address that you registered with when signing up for the challenge.
When can I register for the challenge?
Registration is open now! You can sign up any time up until 31st December 2023 and from any location!
When do I do my swims?
Whenever you want during November and December! Please join us for the Virtual Swim for Peace swim on the 15th Decenber as well!
I’m injured/sick can I have a refund?
So sorry to hear that. I do not recommend you go swimming if you are physically ill or injured! Unfortunately I cannot offer you a refund but you can continue with this challenge when you are feeling. better and I really hope that this will motivate to you keep on swimming again as soon as you can.
How much of my entry fee goes towards chairty?
After entry and administration fees, the cost of the slate medal (I’ll be making the slates myself to save money!) and the post and packaging, a minimum of £5 from your entry will be given to charity – The British Red Cross.
This is a not for profit event so every penny after expenses will be given to charity. If you prefer you could donate directly to The British Red Cross instead – see links on the page above. Thank you!
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If you want to get the most enjoyment out of swimming outdoors through the colder months, here are 15 tips/things you really need to know about/do to keep you safe and having fun!
- Always swim with a buddy or some sort of safety support such as a tow float AND shore watch, etc. Love SwimRun strongly encourages swimmers to use a tow float for both visibility and safety purposes. Carry a waterproofed phone if you can.
- Swim within your limits. Open water conditions vary widely, make sure you know the area you are swimming in well and swim within your abilities when it comes to depth, distance, temperature, waves, currents, water conditions.
- Only swim where you are legally allowed to do so and adhere to any restrictions in place.
- Leave no trace. Please pick up any litter and leave the water and surrounding areas as you found it
- Only use ‘Reef Safe’ sunscreen and lubricants to protect aquatic life.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
- For entrants 16 years and over: By completing an entry to Swim For Peace, I certify I have read and accept the terms and conditions for participation in this event.
- For entrants under 16 years: By completing an entry to Swim For Peace, I certify I am the parent/guardian of this entrant who is under 16 years and I give my consent for them to participate in this event. I accept the terms and conditions for participation in this event on behalf of the entrant and declare them as capable of completing the distance they have nominated.
- Entrants declare that they are physically fit and capable of participating in this event and are not aware of any medical condition or impairment that will prevent participation in this event or will affect their health by participation. This challenge is designed to encourage entrants to try swimming regularly to benefot their mental health, but the results are in no way guaranteed!
- Entrants acknowledge that this is a virtual challenge and that the organisers will not provide volunteers, marshals or medical personnel assistance to any entrant.
- Entrants have read and agree to abide by the ‘Swim Safely’ advice provided.
- Entrants acknowledge that there are no winners or prizes.
- Entrants consent to royalty-free use of their name, photographs, video and comments in any publications and marketing in relation to this event by event organisers Love SwimRun Ltd. You further consent to receiving information about future LoveSwimRun events and special offers and promotions.
- Entry is only valid for the participant listed on the entry system and is not transferable.
- By agreeing to these terms and conditions, entrants release event organisers, from all claims connected with participation. Entrants indemnify the event organiser of this event directly or indirectly against all liability for any and all injury, loss or damage connected with the entrant’s participation.
- Entrants accept that participation in this event is at their own risk and they accept that participating in this event may involve real risk of injury or death.
- Entrants acknowledge they will participate and complete their swim in a manner chosen by them, at locations chosen by them and at their own risk.
- Entrants acknowledge that should they withdraw for any reason, the entry fee is non-refundable.
- Entrants acknowledge that the entry fee is for entry to the event and not to ‘purchase’ the slate medal. The patch is a reward for taking part in the challenge.
- All products will be delivered in line with the time scales described on the webpage. Please only enter if you are happy to wait for the times stated.