Bluetits 2 Channel Relay Team

The Bluetits Chill Swimmers group began in September 2014 by its founder, Sian Richardson, to share her love of cold-water dipping, before officially becoming a Social Enterprise in 2020 to further support the ever-growing community. A core value of The Bluetits is ‘Challenging our limits, together’, and that looks different to everybody. Whether that’s joining in on your first swim, or taking part in one of their events, The Bluetit community is here to support and encourage everyone.

On 12th June 2024, the Bluetit 1 Channel Relay Team challenged their own limits together by completing their own relay Channel crossing. The dedication they all put into this journey, and the exhilaration they felt afterwards, inspired The Bluetits to help facilitate other Bluetits to achieve this same goal. So, the Bluetit 2 Channel Relay Team 2025 was born! This wonderful team will be attempting to cross the Channel, supported and facilitated by The Bluetits. As part of this, each team member will be fundraising to cover their own costs for this adventure, totalling £2,450. Anything raised above this is generously being donated by them to The Bluetits to go back into the community.

As for me, I swim because it's the only way I can actually exercise. I have had Fibromyalgia and Arthritis for the past 15 years, and my mobility is poor. But when I'm in the water, it's like all of that is gone again, and I'm pain free.

Swimming is very much my lifeline in that sense.

I became a Bluetit when I started The Ballyronan Bluetits in October 2020. I had been following other groups on Social Media, and of course, the fabulous Sian, and was very much inspired to find and build my own community here in N.Ireland.

I want to swim the channel, because there was a time when I really thought my life was just Over, but the last 4 years with the Bluetits has taught me that I can do anything. This body that I hated, and had given up on, can still do hard things... they just need to be in Water!

The Bluetits is such an amazing organisation, and they have given so very many people another chance at life. I am just delighted to be raising funds to help it continue on doing so, hopefully for a very long time to come.

Go Bluetits 2!!