Marc De La Cruz

On 19 September, I’ll be taking on the 2-mile Swim Serpentine in Hyde Park, raising money for CNWL NHS Health Charity.

Swimming has become much more than a sport for me. It’s a place where I can switch off, breathe, and give both my body and mind a break from everything else going on in life.

Like many people, I’ve had periods in my life when I struggled with my mental health. It’s part of the reason I have a semicolon tattoo on my right arm — for me, it represents continuing, moving forward, and remembering how far I’ve come.

Over time, swimming has become one of the things that helps me slow down and clear my head. More importantly, it has given me a sense of purpose and introduced me to a community that has made the sport even more meaningful to me.

That’s why I wanted this swim to be about more than simply completing another distance.

I’m raising money for CNWL NHS Health Charity, which supports projects for patients, NHS staff and communities, helping improve health and wellbeing.

Mental health can affect any of us in different ways. Whether someone is living with depression or anxiety, going through a difficult period, or simply having days when everything feels a little heavier, having the right support can make a real difference.

If swimming two miles can help raise even a little more money and awareness for people who may need that support, then every stroke will be worth it.

Two miles for our health, our wellbeing, and everyone finding their way through the difficult days. 💜

Any donation, no matter the amount, would mean a lot to me. Thank you for supporting my swim and, more importantly, the people and communities this charity supports.