Charity swims for Macmillan

We love fundraising and want to help make sure it's as easy as possible for you. We've got lots of ideas to help get the money rolling in.

Yes, you can download another sponsorship form here.

If you don't have access to a printer, you can ask us for one us by emailing swimming@macmillan.org.uk and we'll post one straight out to you and you can carry on with your fundraising.

Thank you for fundraising for Macmillan! We offer different ways to pay in your fundraising including online, at the bank, by post and over the phone. Find out about all the different ways you can pay in.

1. Choose where you would like to swim
Decide where you would like to swim. This could be a local swimming pool, in the sea, a lake or a river. Where you decide to swim depends on your fitness level, what you are comfortable with and your safety.

2. Choose a date
Whether you go for a one day challenge or split it over a period of time, choose a date to make your swimming challenge real.

3. Get your team together
It's more fun and safer to swim with others. And the bigger your team is, the bigger your network of fundraising support will be.

4. Register your challenge
Register your challenge by filling in our form. You'll receive a fundraising pack and support during your challenge.

5. Set up your fundraising page
Set up your JustGiving fundraising page so people can support your challenge by making a donation. We also have advice on how to fundraise online.

We have training plans to get you in tip-top shape. You should also check out our guidance on how to stretch, strengthen, and fuel for your swim.

Lots of things can affect how far in advance you plan your swim. Will you need to do some training? Will you want to hold extra fundraising events to help you reach your target.

If you're planning or organise a team swim, how much notice might people need to get it in their diaries? And will you need time to apply for permission from the council.

Lots of our swimmers start planning three to six months before their swim to give them plenty of time to fit fundraising and planning around their busy lives. If you're planning something ambitious, you might need a bit longer.

If you're swimming in your local pool then please follow the pool guidelines, and speak to the lifeguard if you have any questions or concerns.

If you're planning an open water swim challenge, we admire your sense of adventure, but there's lots more to think about to ensure you're being as safe as possible. Check out this page from Outdoor Swimmer for helpful advice on when swimming in open water.

If you need further advice, get in touch with our Supporter Care team on 0300 1000 200 or by emailing swimming@macmillan.org.uk.

If you're swimming in your local pool, then a suitable swimming costume, a pair of goggles, a towel and some water is enough to get you started. Swim caps are great too, being streamlined is everything in swimming, as is being visible – and the Macmillan caps look great too.

If you're going to be swimming in open water, then you may well need more kit to be fully prepared. Check out this useful information about open water swimming kit from Swimming.org.

If you have signed up to one of the events on our website, you may receive a T-shirt or other apparel. Check the event's terms and conditions.

If you have filled in our form because you are doing an event not listed on our website, we may send you a T-shirt. If you need it sooner, please email fundraising@macmillan.org.uk.

If you are doing your own challenge, you can order a T-shirt from our Macmillan online shop. We also have water bottles, caps, hats and more available.

You can create your own posters on Macmillan Orders. Once you've registered on the website you can create any materials you need for your event.