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Nicola Walters

November Swim Challenge

Help me reach my goal of £300

My Activity Tracking

15
kms

I'm taking part in the November Swim Challenge

This November I’m taking on the November Swim Challenge to raise funds for Dementia UK.

This cause is deeply personal to me - my family has been directly affected by dementia. I’ve seen first-hand how devastating it is not only for the person living with the disease, but for their loved ones: the confusion, the frustration, the fear, the endless questions, and the moments of isolation when you feel utterly lost.

When someone you care about is diagnosed, you don’t just lose memories - you lose connection, security, and certainty. You find yourself navigating a maze of medical jargon, emotional upheaval, and constant change. You want to help, but sometimes you’re not even sure what help looks like.

That’s where Dementia UK comes in. Their Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia practitioners who provide families with expert, compassionate support - offering practical strategies, emotional guidance, and tailored care plans when they are needed most.

By taking part in this swim challenge, I’m pushing myself - physically and mentally - to make a difference. Every lap, every splash, every moment in the water is in honour of the families who are struggling quietly, searching for answers, and often feeling alone.

All donations will go directly to Dementia UK to support their vital work. Even just £1 can make a difference.

To everyone who reads this, donates, shares, or simply sends encouragement - thank you. This swim is about more than distances or times - it’s about hope, community, and standing with those affected by this disease.

THANK YOU.

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

£440 + £91.25 GiftAid

My Goal

£300

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My Achievements

Reached 5K

Shared Page

Updated Profile Pic

Added a Blog Post

You've Self Donated!

Received 5 Donations

Reached Fundraising Goal

Increased Target

Distance Badge Earned

Distance Reached

My Updates

Mission Accomplished! 🎉

Friday 28th Nov
I’m thrilled to share that I have completed my November challenge - 15km swum (that’s 600 lengths!) in support of Dementia UK. I’m honestly so proud, and incredibly grateful for everyone’s encouragement, donations, and kind words along the way. Together, we’ve raised over £500 including Gift Aid, which will make a real difference to families affected by dementia. Thank you so much. 💙 Now… I can’t wait for next week when I’ll be heading to the thermal baths - no pressure, no stopwatch, no lengths to count… just a well-earned relax! Thank you again for all your amazing support. 🏊‍♀️💛

The penultimate swim 🏊‍♀️

Tuesday 25th Nov
Another 1.5km completed today, and the penultimate swim of my challenge. Today’s photo is of the wonderful lady who inspired all of this - someone who has always been like a second mum to my husband. (The photo is from our wedding day on Rhodes in 2013 where she was one of our witnesses as well as 'Mother of the Groom'. Now is our time to repay the love and kindness she’s always shown us, by raising money to support families like ours who are living with dementia. One more swim to go. Watch this space! 💙🏊‍♀️

The last push! 🏊‍♀️

Monday 24th Nov
I can hardly believe it - after weeks of early mornings, aching shoulders, pruned fingers, and more laps than I ever thought possible, I’m officially heading into the final week of my swim challenge! What started as a personal goal has grown into something much bigger, and that’s entirely thanks to the incredible support I’ve had along the way. Every message, donation, share, and “you’ve got this!” has lifted me through the tough moments, especially on the days when the pool felt twice as long and motivation was running on empty. This challenge has pushed me physically and mentally in ways I never expected. I’ve battled tired muscles, cold water, and the little voice that occasionally whispers, “maybe skip today…” But each time, the reason behind this swim - and the encouragement from all of you - has kept me going. Now, with the finish line so close I can almost touch it, I’m digging deep for one last big push. 💪 The goal is in sight, but I’d love to make as big an impact as possible in this final stretch. If you’ve been cheering from the sidelines, THANK YOU. Honestly, your support has meant more than you know. And if you’ve been thinking about donating but haven’t yet, this is the perfect time to jump in and help me make these last lengths really count. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps- and it gives me a huge boost as I power through the remaining swims.

Who even am I?! ❄️💧

Friday 21st Nov
I had a full identity crisis this morning. Me? Up early? On a Friday? To exercise? Honestly, I didn’t recognise myself. I shuffled to the pool half-asleep wondering why I wasn’t still in bed like a normal human. But then… the water... Warm, calm, basically a big cosy hug. The second I slipped in, I went from grumpy morning goblin to “majestic aquatic creature” (in my head - in reality, more like a confused duck). And you know what? It was totally worth it. Warm pool water and that smug feeling of having done something good for charity even before 9am! So yeah, I don’t know who I am anymore… but if the water’s that nice next Friday, I guess I’ll meet this new version of me there. Maybe!

Snowy start!

Wednesday 19th Nov
This morning’s swim definitely wins the award for “most dramatic weather so far”! I set off in actual snow, bundled up in my trusty woolly hat - proudly repping Dementia UK, of course. Nothing like a flurry of white flakes to wake you up before a fundraising session! Once I got to the pool, though, it felt like stepping into another world. The water was lovely and warm, almost like sinking into a bath. I settled into my rhythm quickly and ticked off another 1.5km, bringing me one stroke closer to the overall goal. Every chilly start, every early morning, and every metre swum is for an incredible cause. Feeling proud, motivated, and very grateful for heated pools! More soon - and thank you for all the support so far 🥶🌊💙

🎵 Woah, we’re halfway there… or whatever Bon Jovi sang!

Monday 17th Nov

Today marks a great milestone in my sponsored swim for Dementia UK: 7.5km completed out of 15km.

That’s 300 lengths in the bag!

It feels amazing to hit the halfway point, especially at the start of a week. The support so far has been incredible and keeps me powering on through every length. Dementia UK provides vital help for families facing dementia, and knowing each swim session contributes to that makes every metre worth it.

Thank you to everyone who’s donated, shared, or cheered me on, you’re all part of this.

If you can spare a pound, please sponsor me here:

https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/nicolawalters/november-swim-challenge

Here’s to the next 7.5km and I have to admit, I’m really proud of myself! 💙💦

Final 1km swum in the sun!

Wednesday 12th Nov
Wrapped up the holiday with one last 1k swim under the sunshine. 🌞 Feeling grateful, refreshed, and ready to head home - straight into the magic and madness of panto season! ✨🎭

Sunshine, storms and steep hills! ☀️🌧️💪

Tuesday 11th Nov
Another 1.5km done today in the glorious Gran Canarian sunshine - just before Storm Claudia decides to make her dramatic entrance tonight! It’s been a mixed bag of weather this week: sunshine one minute, clouds the next, and even black flags on the beaches warning “no swimming” thanks to a bit of pollution in the water. (So much for my ocean dips!) If walking steps counted towards my total, I’d have completed my target twice over by now - between trekking up and down the hills, wandering the seafront, and generally exploring the island by ferry and foot... Honestly, have you seen the hills here? They make a treadmill incline look like child’s play! 🏃‍♀️💨 Still, every sweaty step and wobbly kilometre is for a brilliant cause - raising funds for Dementia UK, who provide incredible specialist support to families affected by dementia. A huge thank you to everyone who’s donated so far - your support means the world and definitely keeps me going. If you’d like to cheer me on and help me hit my target, you can donate here 👉 https://fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/nicolawalters/november-swim-challenge 💙

Ola from Gran Canaria! ☀️

Friday 7th Nov
It’s a glorious 26 degrees here - blue skies, palm trees, the full holiday dream… until you get in the pool. Turns out it’s not heated. At all. 🥶 I can confirm that 20 lengths in a chilly pool feels like 200 when your toes go numb halfway through. But, in the spirit of fundraising (and stubbornness), I powered through - between very important sessions of reading, snoozing, and smoothie testing. 🍓🥭

Another 1.5km down

Wednesday 5th Nov
Dragged myself out of bed at an hour no human should see - and I’ll be honest, my pink swim cap was definitely brighter than my mood. But once I hit the water, things improved. Another 1.5km done for my Dementia UK Swim Challenge!

Making a Splash for Dementia UK! 🏊‍♀️💙

Monday 3rd Nov

6am. Cold. Wet. Dark. And there I was - standing at the edge of the pool at Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre, ready to take on my first 1.5km swim for Dementia UK.

The water was freezing, the air was even colder, but I did it! Every stroke reminded me why I’m doing this - to raise funds and awareness for an incredible charity that supports families affected by dementia.

There’s a long way to go, but this chilly first dip has set the tone. Big thanks to everyone who’s already donated - your support means the world (and makes those early mornings a bit easier!).

Now… time to warm up and slide back into my fluffy crocs before the next swim! 🩵

Thank you to my Sponsors

£30

Vicky

Wishing you lots of luck with your challenge. You can do this. 🏆💙🏆💙🏆💙🏆💙

£20

Donna Jones

Good luck ! Xx

£20

Andy Walters

Congratulations, well done, proud of you.

£20

Kate & Stephen

Well done x

£20

Sean & Linda Revill

Well done x

£20

Zack Kelly Summer And Codyxxxx

Well done nicola Keep smashing it. love me Kelly summer and cody x

£20

Mum & Dad

Well done, keep up the good work xx

£20

Leonna

So so so proud of you!!!

£20

Leanne

Well done Nicola! Brilliant achievement xx

£20

Mark

Congratulations on this massive achievement Nicola. We knew you could do it. X?

£10

Clint Walters

Well done xx

£10

Alicia Horden

Well done Nicola! An amazing achievement for a great cause! Love Alicia and Wayne xx

£10

Jenny Fox

Well done Nicola x

£10

Helen H-dawg X

Well done Nic xxx

£10

Wheatleys X

Go Nicola!!!!!!! Your doing amazing 🤩 Will celebrate with a drink next weekend ……

£10

Cicely Mottishaw

Great job. Love Cicely and Daniel x

£10

Caroline

Amazing effort for a great cause, well done.

£10

Lucy Giles

Amazing challenge done by an amazing lady! Lots of love xxx

£10

Nicola Walters

Let's do this!

£10

Maria Errol

Wishing you all the best with this Nicola, this illness is awful and any support to change or challenge it I'm in for

£10

Helen And Tony

You will smash it ❤️

£10

Lou A

Good luck Nicola x

£10

Andrew Cartwright

Done x

£10

Janet & Brian Wingate

Good luck!

£10

Ann Kennell

Good luck Nicola

£10

Kelly Clancy

Good luck, great cause x

£10

Helen Knutton-allcroft

Well done.

£10

Julie Hanson

Well done Nic 💕

£10

Irene Barclay

Well done Nicola! You are some girl! 🩷

£10

Katie & Lucy Trinder

You’re doing brilliantly!!! Love you! Katie & Lucy xxx

£10

Debbie Saint

Good luck with the rest of your challenge, amazing thing to do. Xx

£5

Charlotte Kirk

You are so amazing and I’m so proud of you🩷

£5

Hannah

Well done Nic! You superstar ⭐

£5

Charlotte & Darcy

Mermaizing! Well done mate x

£5

Elaine & Dave Howe

Well done Nicola xx