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Swim Serpentine

Make a splash

Take on a swimming challenge for charity in one of London's most well-known parks to support older people across the UK.

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Taking place in Hyde Park's Serpentine Lake, this open-water swimming event has something for everyone.

Choose from a distance to suit your ability – half a mile, one mile, two miles and 6 miles – and raise money to support older people at the same time.

About Swim Serpentine

  • When: 19 September 2026
  • Where: London
  • Distance: 0.5 mile, 1 mile, 2 miles or 6 miles
  • Why: Change people's lives

What you’ll get from Age UK

Explore our free resources for fundraisers

Apply for an Age UK charity place

You'll need to commit to fundraising for Age UK (between £100 - £450, depending on your chosen distance) and pay a registration fee of £30. Please complete our short application form explaining why you'd like to swim for Age UK and how you will meet your fundraising target.

Apply now

How does it work if I have my own place?

If you've managed to secure your own spot in Swim Serpentine and would like to raise money for Age UK, please email us at fundraise@ageuk.org.uk. You'll receive the same great support as other team members but won't have a fundraising target – just raise as much as you can.

Why fundraise for Age UK?

When someone's desperately lonely and just needs to hear another voice, we're there for them.

When they've lost the person they love the most, we're there to help them find the strength to carry on.

When an older person is forced to live in a freezing house because they're worried about the cost of heating, we give them the support they need to regain control.

We're here because everyone deserves a place to turn to when times are tough.

And with the support of people like you, we can continue to be there.  

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

When will I find out if my application for a charity place has been successful?

If your application has been successful, we will be in touch via email within 10 working days to agree a time for a phone conversation to talk through fundraising plans and next steps.  We aim to respond to everyone applying for a place but if you haven’t heard back from us in 14 working days, please assume you have not been successful.

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How can I raise money?

We’ll help you set up an online fundraising page. The best way to start is to personalise your page with a photo, your story and then share it far and wide. This factsheet can help you share how your fundraising will make a difference to older people's lives.

You can also organise fundraising activities and events to boost your total and we have plenty of ideas and branded materials to give you a kick start.

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Why is there a minimum fundraising target for charity places?

Each charity place provides a valuable source of fundraising for Age UK. We set a minimum fundraising target to cover the cost of the place and support for our participants, as well as ensuring that each team member can raise vital funds to help us reach older people who need support.  

 

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What happens if I don’t raise the minimum fundraising amount?

If you find you are struggling to reach your fundraising target, we are here to help with advice, ideas and materials. We would ask you to continue with your fundraising until you reached your target and we’ll continue to support you. We would never ask you to pay the difference personally.

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Do you provide fundraising materials?

Yes, you'll have access to free resources like a sweepstake pack, sponsorship form and an event poster. Our fundraising guide can also offer plenty of top tips for boosting your donations.

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What if I’m injured and can’t take part?

If you’re not able to take part please let us know at the earliest opportunity, and we’ll discuss alternative options with you.

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