Cardiff Man Swam From Penarth to Clevedon For A Good Cause

Charity swim from Penarth to Clevedon pier for a young girl who has acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia

On Tuesday 2nd September, Nicholas Young achieved an incredible feat, swimming 25km from Penarth Beach to Clevedon in just eight hours to raise money for a family in need..

The Bristol Channel is recognised as one of the toughest open-water swims in the UK, with treacherous tides, unpredictable weather, and the second-largest tidal range in the world. Nick faced stormy conditions throughout and huge ships as he crossed the shipping lanes but pressed on to complete the gruelling crossing.

The mega swim took just over 8 hours and speaking to Nick he said ” The Hardest part was being told to sprint in the shipping lane to avoid an oncoming massive ship when I had nothing to give , But every stroke was for Bella and her family. Knowing how strong and brave she is gave me the strength to keep going“

The swim was undertaken in support of Bella, the eight-year-old daughter of Nicholas’s childhood friend, Karina. Bella is currently battling leukaemia for the second time, and the fundraiser aims to help her family with travel costs, living expenses, and the care she needs during this critical period.

After two years of treatment, she rang the bell in May 2024, only to relapse six months later. She recently underwent a stem cell transplant at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, where her family must remain for up to five months.

Supporters can donate via the official fundraiser here: The Big Swim for Bella.