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Clare Horsley

2026 November Swim Challenge

Help me reach my goal of £1,000

I welcome you to support my journey to raise money for Dementia UK💝

💔 Over the last 18 month , watching my Dad deteriorate with Lewy Body dementia and more recently also Parkinson’s has been one of the biggest emotional rollercoasters myself and my family have ever faced. 

The desperation… knowing that no matter what you say or do, you cannot make it better.

That is the heartbreaking reality of dementia. And for my family, it is our reality every single day.

Over the past 18 months, I have watched my Dad deteriorate as a result of the cruel and devastating disease that is Lewy Body Dementia, more recently compounded by Parkinson’s.

I have watched dementia slowly rob him of his identity, his independence, his dignity and so much of his personality.

I have stood helplessly through the aggressive outbursts, desperately willing them to pass. I have seen the frustration, trauma and sheer fear in my Dad’s eyes as he struggles to understand what is happening to him, why he can no longer live in his own home and why he now requires 24-hour care.

And perhaps one of the hardest parts of all is knowing that, no matter how much I try to reassure him, there are times when not a single word I say can bring him comfort.

But amongst the sadness, frustration and helplessness, I am determined to turn some of this pain into something positive.

If I can play even the smallest part in raising awareness, supporting research and helping to protect future generations from experiencing what my family, and millions of others are going through, then I will do just that.

So, this November, I am taking on a 15K swim challenge. 💪❤️

Having only  returned to fitness properly a year ago, I know this will push me physically and mentally. But whatever it takes, I WILL complete those 15 kilometres.

Because however difficult this challenge may be for me, it is nothing compared to the battle my Dad faces every single day.

I’m doing this for every family living through the heartbreak of dementia, and for future generations who deserve a better chance.

If you are able to support me in any way, whether through a donation, sharing my story or simply helping to raise awareness, I would be incredibly grateful.

Thank you  x 🦋

Please Help Me
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£819 + £162.88 GiftAid

My Goal

£1,000

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My Updates

Session 3 - 8th November 2026

Sunday 8th Nov
So 75 lengths in the bag today in 59 mins - I’m happy with that. It felt easy and steady today - although I did get a stitch on lap 45. I decided to swim through it and after 8 lengths it subsided. That was a first. My ribs feel a bit tired today so will keep things steady. Thank you all so much for all your donations and support - it means so much - thank you. Clare x

Day 7 - Gym - full body workout

Saturday 7th Nov
27 floors climbed level 6 - 10 mins tredmill on incline 7. 10 x leg raises with interment hip stretches. 3 x 10 sets of hip abductors and hip aductors. Ready for my 75 lengths ( 1.5 kilometres) swim Tomorrow - I thought weekends were supposed to be relaxing ! 🤣

Session 2 - 6th November 2026

Friday 6th Nov
The last few days I have been working away so today was my first day back in the pool. Last Wednesday I did my PT session before work where we worked on my upper body to support those swim strokes ! Tonight I did 1km ( 50 lengths) slightly reduced from my usual, as my right arm was really tired after a physical week. So back in the gym and pool this weekend and I will update you all with my progress. Thank you so so much for all your support, it means the world to me. Clare x

2nd November 2026 - rest day !

Monday 2nd Nov
Today was a rest day from exercise. A full day at work and then a visit to see my Dad. It was the usual, but today he seems to have developed some changes in his throat muscles, which is sad but expected. I told him what I was doing - he got it momentarily I think, he won’t remember tomorrow probably, but that’s ok. Tomorrow I’m back in the pool for another 75 lengths and I’m actually really looking forward to it! Thank you for all your support and new donations, it means the world to me. Clare x

Session 1 - 1st November 2026

Sunday 1st Nov
Who have thought I would go swimming on a Sunday ! 1.5 km today ( 75 lengths) interestingly this is the distance of a triathlon swim! Today I wanted to set the scene and smash out 75 lengths, which I did in one hour exactly. It was tricky today - I felt a little overwhelmed by the challenge, coupled with knowing Monday I am due to visit Dad ! But I pushed through and shook of the shakes and focused on what needed to be done. Thank you so much for my new donations today ! So grateful to everyone and Johnny, Harvey and Yassie - they are an amazing support !

Day 5 ( warm up) How did that happen ?!

Sunday 1st Nov
🩵🐠 New swimsuit on and what a swim it was yesterday ! ! ( I didn’t do a full length photo in case of any refund requests - lol) 🩵🐠 Following a lovely little break with my Mum at our second home, when I came back to Chelmsford, I jumped back in the water for my penultimate swim (fyi my blogs are a day behind due to no internet one day ! ) I’m not really sure quite what happened, maybe it was the new swimsuit my Mum got me, coupled with achieving my warm up fundraising target THANK YOU! . … but anyway … But I did a record time of 75 lengths in 57 minutes ! 🩵🐠 I planned on getting the 75 lengths swam in under an hour but I really did not think it would be so soon. 🩵🐠 I am looking forward to what today brings, slightly nervous for some reason, but here I am on day 1 of the challenge and every length I do, I will think of all the families out there who are living with a loved one with dementia. I’ve got this ! 🐠🩵 🐠🩵 Thank you so much for all my new donations - it is really motivating me and giving me confidence.

Day 4 (warm up)

Saturday 31st Oct
As the official start date approaches, I went to the pool to practice my technique.  One of the things I have found that makes a huge difference with my pacing, is my breathing.  

When I get tired,  I find my breathing  becomes a bit more shallow.  So long and controlled breathing is so important to make sure I don’t run out of steam.  I thought I would do a comfortable 30 lengths and then found myself keeping on going.  I ended up doing another 75 laps in oddly exactly the same time - 67 minutes! 

I am going to see if I can get that to under the hour by the time my challenge finishes. 

Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored me so far, I so appreciate it! 

Clare xx 

Day 3 ( warm up )

Wednesday 28th Oct
So today is was PT time at 7am ! Full leg work out to get my legs in ship shape to ‘just keep swimming’ We tried to take an ‘action’ shot but I got the giggles and this picture looks like I’m giving birth! So keeping it real … thank you everyone so much for your support !

Day 2 ( Warm Up)

Tuesday 27th Oct
So today was gym day. Treadmill for 10 minutes on a 5 level incline. Stair climber for 10 mins speed 7 and hip adductors and hip abductors 3 sets of 10! I was dripping ! Feeling good ! Thank you so much to all who have sponsored me so far !

Day 1 ( Warm up ) I did the 75 laps as a practice run!

Tuesday 27th Oct
I thought I would jump on here to let you know that yesterday I thought I would attempt the 75 lengths - 15 more than I usually do.

I decided to break it down into two sets of 30 lengths followed by a set of 15.  Lap 25 is always a challenge but pushed past that and reached the 60 lengths in  50 mins.

Although my right arm was starting to flag and feel super tired , I pushed through and remembered one of my last visits with my Dad and how distressing it was.

I pushed through and managed the additional 15 laps in 67 mins - just.   I was super happy with that as my goal was to do the 75 lengths in 75 mins. 

That was closely followed by a sauna to look after my body so can be super fit to officially start my challenge on a Sunday 1st November.  

Thank you so so much for all your support, it’s really giving me the confidence to achieve this challenge ! 

Just keep swimming…

Clare x 

Thank you to my Sponsors

£50

John Horsley

£50

Steve Rickwood

You got this Clare. You are absolutely smashing it and amazing

£50

Robyn

£50

Msb

Sending our love to you and your family. Wish you all the best with the swim Clare! Love from the MSB Team Xx

£33

Roy

Well done and good luck.

£33

Patrick Connolly

£33

Anonymous

£33

Harvey Horsley

Smashing it Mum❤️

£30

Gina Wright

Fantastic cause Clare, and close to my heart. Well done!

£25

Laura Ella

Good luck Clare. Might see you in the pool! Lots of love from the Ellas xxx

£25

Shelley

Good luck love Shelley Ian Alex and Mollie xxxx

£25

Anonymous

£20

Matt Bradshaw

£20

Susie Obrien

You did this is simply amazing! Best of luck from all the O’B’s xxx

£20

Simon Gregory

Good luck in your 15k swim for this worthwhile cause. x

£20

Shirley Rumble

Hi Clare, wishing you every success with your fundraising, a charity very close to my heart. My late father-in-law and currently my Mum suffer with this. It is truly heartbreaking seeing the changes develop. Sending a hug to you and your family. Shirley xx

£20

Yasmine Horsley

Smashing it! Proud of you❤️x

£20

Yasmine Horsley

£20

Clare Dalgarno

You’re amazing!!!!! Smashing it 😍😍

£20

Mark Toublic

Good luck with the swim Clare

£20

Darren Tapsfield

You go girl and smash it. X

£20

Kate Simpson

A wonderful effort for a great cause, Clare. Good luck on the day.

£19

Elizabeth Mcloughlin

Well Done Clare, good luck with the Swim, cousin Elizabeth

£15

Mollie Murphy

Just keep swimming!!!!!

£15

Helen Monk

Well done Clare,really proud of you xx

£12.50

Zander Hughes

£10

Nick, Nicola, Sam & Vicky

Good luck Clare!

£10

Steph Wallace

£10

Adam

£10

Kathy Mawdsley

Good luck Clare. Xx

£10

Angela

Well done Clare. xxx

£10

Hayley

£10

Sally Norris

Well done Clare!!

£10

Kelly

Wishing you lots of luck with your swim for a great cause! ❤️

£10

Katie Howey

You’ll smash it 🩵 Dementia took my first nan from me, so I’ll always support this cause.

£10

Fay Downing

For your lovely Dad xx

£10

Charlotte Tapsfield

Goodluck Clare! X

£10

Milly Wallace