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woman in a pool holding the side of the swimming pool. She is smiling

November Swim Challenge 2025

Make a splash this November and swim 5K, 10K or 15K for families facing dementia.

Sign up Join our Strava Group

Are you ready to swim for the one in two of us who will be affected by dementia in our lifetime? By taking on the November Swim Challenge for Dementia UK, you’ll raise vital funds to support more families living with the condition.

Whether you’re new to the pool or a seasoned swimmer, you can choose a distance which suits you. Simply select your chosen distance of 5K, 10K or 15K when you register. Unsure which to choose? Have a look at our swim calculator to see how many lengths you’d need to do.

Ready to dive in?

  1. Register for the challenge and receive your FREE Dementia UK swimming cap.
  2. Share your fundraising page with family and friends.
  3. Join our Strava group to meet your fellow swimmers.

If you have any questions, please see our FAQs below or contact us at virtualevents@dementiauk.org

Frequently asked questions

How do I register for the challenge?

Register for the November Swiming Challenge with this form. Once you have registered and set up your fundraiser, you’ll be ready to go!

You can also join our supportive Strava group, where you can meet your fellow swimmers and share your progress.

How do I fundraise?

Setting up a Dementia UK fundraiser is the quickest and easiest way to raise money. You can create your Dementia UK fundraiser few seconds by using this form.

Once you have set up your fundraising page, be sure to share it with your family and friends and family via social media, text, email and WhatsApp.

Is there a registration fee?

Taking part in the November Swim Challenge for Dementia UK is free!

Is there a fundraising target?

There is no fundraising target for this challenge – we just ask you to raise as much as you can for families affected by dementia.

How can I send in sponsorship money I’ve collected offline?

The easiest way to send cash donations to Dementia UK is by donating to your online fundraising page. Alternatively, you can:

  • Donate via our website
  • Send in a cheque made payable to Dementia UK. Enclose a note including your full name, the email address that you used to register for your swimming cap, and an explanation that you raised the money for the November Swim Challenge. Post it to us at:

Dementia UK

7th Floor

One Aldgate

London

EC3N 1RE

Can I raise money without setting up an online fundraising page?

You certainly can. We’ll send you a sponsorship form with your swimming cap, but if you want to get started now or need more forms, simply  download and print more copies.

Please ask your sponsors to fill out all the columns so we can claim up to 25% Gift Aid.

Where do donations to my fundraiser go?

All donations made to your fundraiser will be sent directly to Dementia UK. These vital donations will support families facing dementia.

How do I get my free Dementia UK swimming cap?

Please complete our registration form with your details, if you haven’t already. It will take up to two weeks for your swimming cap to arrive.

I still haven’t received my swimming cap – where is it?

We’re sorry to hear you haven’t received your swimming cap yet. If you have waited two weeks since completing the registration form, please email virtualevents@dementiauk.org and we will investigate.

Can I get more than one swimming cap for the challenge?

We send out one Dementia UK swimming cap per participant. If you would like to buy some additional Dementia UK branded items, please visit our shop.

Where and how can I complete my kilometres?

You can complete your kilometres wherever you like; however we advise using an indoor pool for your challenge. If you do decide to swim outdoors, please be aware of the potential risks and follow the necessary safety precautions, especially if you do not regularly swim outdoors.

Which distance should I choose?

It’s completely up to you! Have a look at our handy swimming calculator to see how many lengths you need to complete for each distance. Whatever you choose, you’re also welcome to adjust the distance at any time throughout the challenge. You just need to log into your fundraiser and navigate to ‘My fitness activity’ and you can change your distance there.

How do I record how many kilometres I have covered?

Strava is a free, easy to use app that can track your kilometres throughout November. Find out more about tracking your swims with Strava. You will also receive a November Swim Challenge tracker with your swimming cap, which you can use to tick off your kilometres. If you have a water resistant exercise watch, you may be able to use it to track your distance.

Can I start early or late?

Of course! Our Strava group is active in November, when the majority of people are likely to take part, but you can do this challenge whenever is best for you. The more participants we have, the more families can receive the life-changing support of our specialist dementia nurses.

How can I take on the challenge safely?

Safety should always be your top priority when heading out for a swim, whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or you’re making a splash for the first time. Be sure to familiarise yourself with the Water Safety Code before you swim.

What if I don’t complete the challenge?

The only thing that matters is that you challenge yourself and enjoy raising awareness and funds so our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses can support more families. Do as much as you can. Update your sponsors regularly, be clear about how far you’ve come in your challenge, and make sure they are still happy to donate to Dementia UK.