Swimmer - she/her Helen Jenkins

Helen's fundraising journey

What is your challenge and why are you taking it on?

I'm taking on the challenge of swimming the English Channel solo in July 2025.

I took on this challenge to support the young people and their families suffering with mental health issues. So many friends have children that are struggling with life and the stress of growing up in todays’ society. We need to address the root cause of these problems.

About Helen

I’m 53, no spring chicken! And taking on the biggest challenge of my life in swimming a solo English Channel Swim.

I’m a mum to two wonderful children who are 22 and 19, and I have a very supportive husband. Also mum to a Cockapoo!

I’m a lawyer and mostly work from home which gives me the time for training.

When I’m not working, I’m swimming, and vice versa.

What three words describe you best?

  • Faithful

  • Committed

  • Determined

Why is mental health important to you?

The world we live in is fast-paced and stressful. Kids need to be allowed to be kids and to feel supported and loved without the ‘noise’ and ‘pressure’ of society. If you don’t have a healthy mind then you don’t have a healthy life and life is precious. Swimming is a great way of unwinding mentally and I often contemplate life problems in the pool or sea. Get swimming!

Meet more of our fundraisers

  • Imo became the youngest female to run the length of the UK in just 22 days. Starting on 19 June, she ran 60km per day, arriving in Lands End on 10 July.

  • Our fundraiser, Alex D'arbost, sitting at a garden table covered with illustrations for his book.

    Alex has run a Madrid marathon and written his own mental health poetry book.

  • A secondary school student completing a #HelloYellow word search.

    Duke of Kent School took part in #HelloYellow on World Mental Health Day 2022.

The YoungMinds fundraising team cheering with their hands in the air at the marathon. They are wearing YoungMinds t-shirts and have YoungMinds banners.

Looking for your next challenge?

Whether you want to climb a mountain, hold a car boot sale, run a marathon or organise a quiz night, there are so many ways to raise funds for us.

However you choose to fundraise, our events team will support you the whole way.

Get started with fundraising