Headway Kent Chair Takes on 11-Mile Lake Windermere Swim for Brain Injury Survivors

This September, our Chair of Trustees, Caroline Flint, will be taking on an extraordinary challenge to raise vital funds for Headway Kent – swimming 11 miles across Lake Windermere.

As if swimming 11 miles wasn’t tough enough, this iconic stretch of water is the largest natural lake in England, stretching over 10.5 miles long, 219 feet deep and nearly a mile wide at its broadest point. Caroline will be swimming virtually the entire length – a feat that is often compared to swimming half the distance of the English Channel.

Caroline’s Story

Caroline shared why she has decided to take the plunge:

“This September 6, I’m challenging myself to a sponsored swim to raise money for a cause that’s incredibly close to my heart – Headway Kent.

I have never swum this distance before. It will be cold, exhausting, and very challenging. But as Chair of the Board, I have seen first-hand the life-changing difference our charity makes to people living with an acquired brain injury (ABI).

Whether it’s a stroke, road traffic accident, tumour, or other trauma, brain injury turns life upside down – not just for the individual, but for their whole family.

Headway Kent offers a lifeline: structured rehabilitation, emotional support, carer advice, and a safe, understanding community where people can rebuild their confidence and skills. But with funding cuts and rising need, we rely more than ever on the generosity of people like you.

So, I’m swimming to raise as much as I can. Every penny will go directly to helping someone get their life back after a brain injury.”

Why Lake Windermere?

Lake Windermere is famous for its beauty, depth, and chilly waters. Open water swimmers from around the world come to the Lake District to test their endurance in its unpredictable conditions. Wind, waves, and cold temperatures make long-distance swims here a serious test of both mental resilience and physical stamina.

The Benefits of Open Water Swimming for the Brain

Caroline’s challenge also highlights the surprising health benefits of swimming. Research shows that open water swimming can improve brain function by boosting blood flow, reducing stress, and even helping to protect against cognitive decline. Cold water immersion has been linked to increased endorphins, improved mood, and reduced anxiety – making swimming not only a test of endurance but also a therapy for both body and mind.

How You Can Help

Caroline is determined to complete this 11-mile journey across Windermere, but she can’t do it without your support. By sponsoring her, you’ll be helping Headway Kent continue to provide vital services to people living with ABI across the county.

👉 You can sponser Caroline here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/caroline-flint-3?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Every donation – no matter the size – brings us one stroke closer to ensuring that no one in Kent has to face brain injury alone.

From all of us at Headway Kent – good luck Caroline, we’re behind you every stroke of the way!