4 men. 1 channel - Swimming in memory of Mick "Aky" Atkinson

***UPDATE***

After sitting out some bad weather and unsafe sea conditions...

WE ARE ON!!!!!!!!!!!

We're meeting Captain Pete The Crab of the FV Rowena in Folkestone Harbour @7:45am Weds July 23rd!

Here we go!!

In 2018, we tragically lost our friend, brother, uncle, and father, Mick "Aky" Atkinson, to the devastating impact of mental health struggles. Mick’s passing reminds us all of the importance of support, conversation, and awareness surrounding men’s mental health.

To honor Mick's memory, a team of four from the "Tour de Aky" challenge are taking on the ultimate feat—swimming from England to France in July 2025.

Untrained, inexperienced and NOT swimmers... what can possibly go wrong........ a challenge that embodies the spirit of pushing personal limits for a cause bigger than ourselves.

Meet the Team:

Mark "Whale Food" Baber

Dave "The Dolphin" Young

Kev "He's Vegan If You Didn’t Know Already" Lacks-Kelly

Nat "Bouyant" Pawlowski

Starting from Folkestone Beach on July 19th (tide and weather permitting), the team will embark on a 21-mile swim across the Channel, which will take an estimated 16-18 hours, all while being watched over by Peter "The Crab" Reed aboard the trusty trawler Rowena.

Despite being untrained and inexperienced swimmers, the team is determined to push through every stroke in support of two incredible causes.

Why These Charities Matter

All funds raised from this swim will support ANDYSMANCLUB, a vital men’s suicide prevention charity. Offering peer-to-peer support groups across the UK and online, ANDYSMANCLUB is on a mission to break the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and provide a safe space for men to talk. It’s a mission that can save lives, and it's something we’re passionate about, having seen first hand the impact it can make.

Additionally, we’ll be supporting Yorkshire Air Ambulance, a charity that was very close to Mick’s heart. The Yorkshire Air Ambulance provides life-saving services, helping to save lives across the region by offering rapid emergency medical care in critical situations. Mick believed deeply in their mission, and we’re proud to continue supporting them in his honor.

Together, these two charities are working tirelessly to save lives—whether it’s through providing essential mental health support or offering emergency care when every second counts. Every penny donated will help ensure that these organizations can continue their invaluable work and be there for those who need them most.

Let’s honor Mick’s memory by making sure no one else has to suffer in silence and that more lives can be saved in critical moments.

It’s okay to talk.

It’s okay to act.

#ITSOKAYTOTALK