Valence Buoys Channel Swim

Aim

Our aim is to raise £20,000 by swimming the English Channel to refurbish the swimming pool changing facilities at Valence School

Six Dads. One Channel. £20,000 Target.

This year, six determined dads are taking on an extraordinary challenge — a relay swim across the English Channel — all to raise £20,000 for Valence School

Valence School in Kent is a leading maintained special school providing an education to 130 children and young people with physical disabilities and/or complex medical needs. It’s a special school in all senses of the word, with committed, caring staff, and tailored education pathways and residential placements, focusing on holistic development and independence. Inclusive sport is a key part of the curriculum and for the children and young adults the swimming pool is a real highlight. This specialist facility is not a luxury, it’s essential enabling them to experience joy from weightlessness, get vital cardiovascular exercise and encourage their mental and physical wellbeing. The pool’s changing facilities are badly in need of a refurbishment, and the dads are fundraising to update these, ensuring they are modern, accessible and fit for the incredible young people who use them every single day.

Unfortunately, funding doesn’t stretch to covering these expenses and so the dads are on a mission to fundraise for the whole school community.

The English Channel is one of the most iconic and demanding open water swims in the world. Cold water. Strong tides. Unpredictable weather. Hours of relentless swimming.

As a relay team, the six dads will take it in turns to swim one hour at a time, rotating continuously until they reach France — potentially swimming for 12–18 hours straight as a team, through day and night. And here’s the thing: they are not seasoned open-water swimmers.

Meet the ordinary dads taking on this extraordinary challenge:

For two of the dads (Andrew and Mark) whose young adults are set to leave Valence in July 2026 for post-19 education, this is a deeply personal challenge. It’s their way to give back to the school that has so brilliantly taken care of their children and provide first-class changing facilities that will benefit not only existing students but future students and the staff and community volunteers who support them.

Both Andrew’s daughter, Rachel and Mark’s son, Johnny have been fortunate to access Valence pool as outreach before they officially joined as students. 

Says Mark “Parenting a special-needs child is one of the most rewarding yet also deeply demanding responsibilities and at times, it’s pretty gruelling, there’s always a hurdle to face, a challenge to take on. Valence School has been a lifeline for us as a family and Johnny adores his time at Valence - so much so, he’s always desperate to get back! I wanted to do this swim to say thank you to the school and to help other children, other parents.”

Also in the swimming line-up is Blake whose son Mason also attends Valence. Mason has loved swimming since he was under a year old. Blake says that “the water gives Mason something truly special – freedom. In the pool he can move without limits, build confidence, and simply enjoy being a child”

Joining the three Valence dads are Kevin, Nigel and Matt. Kevin and Nigel, close family friends of one of the team, have seen first-hand the resilience of families raising a disabled young adult and the importance of strong community support. Matt, who is the Principal at Valence School, understands deeply the daily challenges families face and the vital role swimming plays in keeping students fit, healthy and independent 

Your help will make a difference:

This swim is about more than crossing from England to France. It’s about creating facilities that match the courage, determination and spirit of the young people at Valence School.

Every donation — large or small — brings the team closer to their £20,000 goal and closer to transforming the swimming experience for students who gain so much from being in the water.

Please support these six dads as they take on one of the world’s toughest swims to make a life-enhancing difference.

Donate today. Share their story. Help them make a difference.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 17th July 2026 at 11:59pm