Diabetes UK is looking for people from across the North West of England to take on the swimming challenge of the year, Swim22, between 22 February and 22 May 2020.

Discover your inner champion by swimming 22 miles – the width of the English Channel – in your local pool, at your own pace. The idea is to clock up the required distance in repeated visits to the pool across the 12 weeks between 22 February and 22 May.

If you don’t feel ready for 22 miles you can also choose to swim 11 or 44 miles.

You can take on the swim challenge alone or, better still, get your family, friends and colleagues involved.

Whichever distance you choose, each stroke you take will bring you closer to a healthier future - for you, and for everyone in the UK who’s living with diabetes.

There are an estimated 4.7 million people living with diabetes in the UK. If not managed well, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating complications, including sight loss, amputation, kidney failure and stroke.

The money raised will help fund life-saving research, and make sure everyone living with diabetes gets the care and support they need. Take the plunge this year to help us change even more lives.

To sign up, just visit www.diabetes.org.uk/swim22. There is no registration fee and no minimum sponsorship.

Clare Howarth, Head of the North of England at Diabetes UK