After two incredible years, we are sadly saying goodbye to our Great Lengths swim challenge. This event was a celebration of our community’s spirt, bringing together our candidates, their families, employer partners, and supporters as they swam their way for Team Domenica. Thanks to our amazing swimmers, Great Lengths raised over £40,000 for our Wrap Around Programme, which supports both candidate and employer after our young people attain paid work.

However, with rising costs and increasing financial pressures on donors, we can’t be sure a third year would raise enough to fund our Wrap Around Programme. As a result, we’ve had to make the difficult decision to bring the challenge to an end.

Reflecting on the event, Greg van Heeswijk, Team Domenica’s Director of Fundraising and Communications, shared his appreciation:

It is with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to the Great Lengths swim challenge. This inspirational event raised thousands for our programmes and united our community as they realised their potential in the pool. However, rising costs and the pressure of the cost of living on donors made this a difficult, but ultimately necessary, decision.

I would like to thank Sea Lanes and South Downs Leisure for their support with this event, but most of all, I want to thank the swimmers and their supporters for pushing themselves the extra mile (or three) for Team Domenica and young people with learning disabilities.

To everyone who took part, supported, and believed in Great Lengths – THANK YOU. Your efforts have made a lasting impact to the lives of young people with learning disabilities and autism.