Gabriel Flude

My Motivation:

Taking on an 8km swim for Great Ormond Street Hospital is, without a doubt, a huge challenge for me.

I’m not a strong swimmer, and that’s exactly why I decided to do it. There’s something powerful about choosing a goal that feels slightly out of reach. An 8km swim isn’t just physically demanding; it’s mentally testing too. For me, this isn’t about chasing a time or proving anything to anyone else. It’s about stepping outside of my comfort zone and seeing what I’m capable of.

At the same time, I wanted this challenge to mean more than just that. 

Raising funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital gives every bit of this challenge purpose. The hospital does incredible work supporting seriously ill children and their families, and if my swim can help in even a small way, then it will be worth it.

I’m grateful that I get to do hard things, because not everyone gets the opportunity to choose their hard.

Many families supported by Great Ormond Street Hospital are facing challenges they didn’t choose. Remembering that puts my nerves and fatigue into perspective.

This 8km swim is about resilience and gratitude. It’s about pushing myself beyond what feels comfortable, while supporting a cause that truly matters. I may not be the strongest swimmer but I’m determined to finish this challenge.

I’m swimming 8km in March for GOSH Charity! 

I’m challenging myself to swim 8km this March to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity).

Childhood is special. It should be a time of joy, wonder, curiosity and fun. Of making friends, making mistakes, and growing into the adults we become. But it’s also fragile, and sometimes all too brief.

That’s why Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity raises funds to help give seriously ill children childhoods that are fuller, funner and longer. For the children from all over the UK who are treated by Great Ormond Street Hospital every day, for children with rare or complex illnesses everywhere, for this generation and all those to come. Because no childhood should be lost to serious illness.

And with every kilometre I swim, and every pound raised, we’ll be helping to give seriously ill children the best chance and the best childhood possible.

Please help me to achieve my goal by giving whatever you can; no amount is too small to make a difference.