Make a splash for mental health in The BIG Swim!

Introducing the fourth year of our popular annual fundraising sensation, The Big Swim. 

We're calling all swimmers, from novice to pro, to take the plunge for a great cause: better mental health for everyone in Calderdale.

What is The Big Swim?
It's a sponsored swim with a purpose. Set your swimming goal, rally your friends and family for support, and gear up to hit the pool. 

There are three categories to choose from.

1. Individuals (16+) - 100m, 400m, 800m, 1 mile - or set your own target for an extra challenge!
2. Junior (15 years and under) - set your own target.
3. Relay - Register as a team, set your target and share the lengths! You can have between 2-6 people in your team. Mixed age groups and abilities are welcome.

When and where is The Big Swim?

• Date:  2 PM on Sunday 4th October 2026
• Location:  Your local participating pool - Brighouse, Sowerby Bridge or Todmorden. You choose!

How to take part.
Now comes the easy bit!

• Simply choose your category. You will need to know this before you fill in the registration form.
• Complete The Big Swim form by clicking on the registration button below. 
• Pay the Registration Fee:  £15 for adults, £5 for ages 15 and under. 

Come and join in the fun! Swimming caps and medals will be awarded to all our swimmers on the day.

Don’t miss out!  Register soon to make sure you get the pool of your choice. (Numbers are restricted at each pool).  

Registration for The Big Swim will close on Friday, September 18th.
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​Simply click below to register your space!

Click here to register.

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FAQs

how can i pay in my registration fee?

You can send this via bank transfer or cheque (details below). If you would like to pay it in another way, please do get in touch with us to discuss. Further instructions are included in the registration form.

Please send your bank transfer to: 
Calderdale Wellbeing
Sort Code: 60-83-01
Account No: 20474645

Please make your cheque out to Calderdale Wellbeing and include the participant's name on the back for reference.
​and post to our office:  1 King Street, Halifax HX1 1SR

What if i struggle to pay the fee?

We don't want anyone to feel excluded or prohibited from taking part. If you are struggling with this fee, please do get in touch with us to discuss. 

how can i set up my online fundraising page?

Please set up your fundraising page under our Big Swim campaign on JustGiving:
www.justgiving.com/campaign/the-big-swim-2026
​Simply click the link above, then click the "Start Fundraising" orange button once you are on our fundraising page.

​Do you need additional help? Read instructions here, or you can contact Vicky - [email protected]

Can i have a paper sponsorship form?

Yes! Feel free to download and print a paper form.

Don't forget Gift Aid! For every £1 donated with Gift Aid, we receive an extra 25p from the Government at no cost to the donor. Your sponsors must include their full name, address, postcode and a tick in the box in order to claim Gift Aid.

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Gain inspiration from our 2025 The Big Swim swimmers:

Brighouse Big Swim swimmers

Nikki from Todmorden is the inspiration behind The Big Swim! Our lovely Nikki first took on the challenge of a sponsored swim all by herself. She chose the number of lengths she thought she could manage and asked her friends and family to sponsor her. What a day she had. Nikki smashed her swimming target and raised some very valuable funds for Healthy Minds. She loved it so much she did it again the following year. 

Read Nikki's story:

"Healthy Minds has completely turned my life around. The support team in Todmorden have helped me to be more positive and I am happier and more content than I have been for a long time.

I have always loved swimming and even more so now, as ill health and mobility issues have taken their toll. Swimming gives me freedom of movement and is great for my mental health.

Healthy Minds have been a life changer and now I want to give something back. I want to try and raise some funds for this special and worthy charity. I can't walk far, and I definitely can't run a marathon, but what I can do is challenge myself to a swim!'