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Vicky Leigh

2026 November Swimming Challenge

Help Vicky raise 1250!

Swimming 10k in November for Sands: My 'Why'

Having experienced miscarriages, followed more recently by a ruptured ectopic pregnancy that required emergency surgery, I’ve come to understand just how lonely and complex pregnancy loss can be.

Often there is a lack of answers, constant what ifs, and the pressure to pretend you’re OK when really you’re struggling to make sense of what’s happened. It’s showing up to work and carrying on with everyday life while you’re actively losing something you wanted so desperately.

The waiting around in hospitals, surrounded by uncertainty, knowing that you may never get to experience the pregnancy journey you’d imagined. It’s watching the joy of others around you while trying to navigate feelings that can be difficult to explain, even to yourself.

Until you experience pregnancy or baby loss, it’s hard to comprehend the conflicting emotions that come with it. Wanting to talk about it, but not wanting to dwell on it. Wanting to move forward, but struggling to move past it. Being happy for others while quietly grieving what you’ve lost yourself.

So many women experience these losses while fighting battles nobody else can see. They put on a brave face, carry on with their lives and find ways to keep going, often while feeling incredibly alone.

Swimming has always been something I’ve loved. There’s something about being in the water that feels peaceful. Allowing time to think, to process things and simply be with your own thoughts. Taking on a 10k swim feels like a way to channel that time and space into something meaningful.

I’m doing this for Sands and for the many women and families who have experienced pregnancy and baby loss. For those still searching for answers, those trying again, those putting on a brave face, and those learning to live with a grief that others may never fully understand.

If taking on this challenge can help raise awareness, provide support to families who need it, or help someone feel a little less alone in their experience, then every length will be worth it.

My Activity Tracking

9
kms

My target 10 kms

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

£1,095 + £83.92 GiftAid

My Goal

£1,250

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My Achievements

Updated Profile Picture

Donated to myself

Shared page

Received First Donation

First swim logged

Received 10 donations

Increased Fundraising Target

Completed it!

My Updates

3rd swim and a huge thank you!

Tuesday 10th Nov
Hey everyone! 

A little bit of a late update, managed my third swim on Friday last week, 2.25k. Started very achy but pushed through and fortunately it was nice and quiet at the pool! 

Again just want to say a huge thank you to you all. I've been blown away by the support in all honesty. 

I've also realised just how much I missed swimming. It's giving me the time to just think and reflect on my journey over the last couple of years, whilst its been really difficult, I'm proud I'm at the point I can be open about my experiences and hopefully that can help someone else. 

Here's to another strong and reflective week ahead ❤️

2nd swim ✅️

Tuesday 3rd Nov
2nd swim down another 2.175km banked. Feeling very fortunate with all of the support. Huge shout out to Jacey and Dad who joined for this one ❤️

One more swim for this week on Thursday, after Wednesdays Push/pull hoping the arms have something left! 

Then a weekend off as we're away, so will be back getting the lengths in next week. 

1st swim in the bag

Sunday 1st Nov
Well I think all of the kind messages and donations really spurred me on this morning for the first swim, managed 2.1km in an hour at the local pool. Next swim will be Tuesday evening, day after leg day so I think this may be more of a challenge 😅  I'll keep you all updated! 

Huge thanks to Ashley McGuire for joining me on the first swim ❤️

First swim incoming

Saturday 31st Oct
A huge thank you to everyone for your support messages and donations, I've been blown away by the generosity and kind words. 

First swim booked in for tomorrow morning, it's been some time since I've done lane swimming, aiming to start with 40 lengths tomorrow and then swimming 3 times a week. 

I will keep you all updated through the month. 

Thanks again! 

Vicky

Thank you to my Sponsors

£28.44

Darryl And Denise Sugg

We hope you are successful in everything you set your heart on.

£12.25

Kirstie Hughes

£23.45

Michelle Benjes

Best of luck !

£33.83

Paul Stevenon

£28.44

Katy Rainford

Great cause, well done Vicky!

£28.44

Gary Francis

Good luck Vicky 🙌🏻

£109.25

Mackie & Amelie

Best of luck, and Stef dont forget your arm bands, love you, Mackie

£55.88

Stephanie Leigh

Love you Vick ❤️ Good luck with the swimming xx

£23.45

Anne Britton

£23.45

Sue Jane Ottah

Keep swimming for such a worthy cause 🥰

£20

Paul Tyler

Best of luck Vic. What a great cause. Paul,Dionne, Evie & Alfie x

£12.25

Amber Sheridan

❤️

£33.83

Samuel Thomas

£28.44

Allan Jones

Well done Vicky. Great cause xxxx

£55.88

Sonia Cappelli

£17.89

Anonymous

Go go sticky Vicky !!!

£28.44

Richard Brown

£12.25

Natalie Foote

Good luck and well done raising awareness ❤️

£55.88

Ulf Jungclaussen

🐬🙌

£55.88

Robert Wrest

Good luck!

£50

Clare & Karl

What a lovely thing you are doibg hun! Hope it goes well. Lot of love Clare and Karl ❤️

£33.83

Kevin Lock

£30

Andrew Dinnage

❤️

£27.84

Sky

Just keep swimming you cheeky mermaid. Lots of love 💖💖

£12.25

Jodie Walker-edwards

Send love ❤️

£33.83

Matthew & Adele

❤️

£33.83

Ger

£12.25

Gerda Jogminaite

🤍🤍🤍

£33.83

Sophie Wrest

£55.88

Jacey & Richard

❤️❤️

£33.83

Ashley Mcguire

Proud of you. And with you all the way xx

£50

Vicky Leigh