Swimming for Dreamflight is a brilliant way to challenge yourself while supporting children with serious illnesses and disabilities. Whether you’re swimming in open water, taking on a sponsored pool swim, or setting your own personal challenge, every length helps create moments of confidence, independence and joy.
It’s not about racing or finishing first – it’s about choosing a challenge that feels right for you and knowing it’s making a real difference.
Why swim for Dreamflight?
Swimming gives you space to breathe, reset and focus, and many of our supporters tell us it becomes as much about wellbeing as it is about the challenge. It can help you feel calm, confident and strong, both physically and mentally.
By swimming for Dreamflight, you’re doing something positive for yourself while helping children experience confidence, freedom and moments of joy away from hospital routines.
Great North Swim
Dreamflight Charity Places
Set in the stunning surroundings of Lake Windermere in the Lake District, the Great North Swim, organised by The Great Run Company, brings together thousands of swimmers for a weekend that feels more like an open‑water adventure than a race.
With a wide range of distances available, it offers something for everyone, whether you’re new to open‑water swimming or looking to take on a longer endurance challenge.
Charity places for the Great North Swim have a registration fee of £20 to £40 (depending on distance), with a fundraising target of £200 to £350. Click on the distance tiles below to choose the challenge that feels right for you, and we’ll support you every step of the way.
How it works
Swimming challenges vary from open‑water events to sponsored pool swims, but most follow three simple steps:
- Choose your challenge
Pick an open‑water swim or set a distance or time goal that feels right for you. - Register for your swim
Sign up with the event organiser, or confirm your own plan if you’re creating a personal challenge. - Start your fundraising
Set up your fundraising page and we’ll support you with ideas and encouragement from the moment you get started.
Looking for something different?
Swimming for Dreamflight doesn’t have to mean a big organised event.
Some supporters choose to:
- organise a sponsored swim at their local pool
- set a distance or time challenge over a week or month
- take on a relay swim with friends or colleagues
- create a challenge that fits around their own schedule
If you’ve got an idea, or want help shaping one, we’d love to hear from you. However you choose to swim, we’ll be there with fundraising ideas, encouragement and support.
Contact us at fundraising@dreamflight.org
