Virtual Swim
Virtual Challenge – May 2025
Terms & Conditions of Participation
For ease of reading, these terms and conditions are set out in a Q&A format. The answers make up the terms and conditions you commit to by registering for this event.
Do I need to pay a registration fee?
You do not need to pay a registration fee to take part in our virtual challenge.
Is there a minimum sponsorship I have to raise to take part?
There is no minimum sponsorship that you need to raise to take part in the challenge, but we ask that you aim to raise as much as possible through setting up your fundraising page via our website. By taking part in our virtual challenge and signing up through our website you agree that all money raised will be donated to The Air Ambulance Service.
How do I send you my sponsorship money?
Where possible you should raise money via the Fundraising page that is set up for you when registering to take part. You can also pay in funds raised via cheque or bank transfer into our account and we can add your offline donations to your page total.
How do I sign up and set up my fundraising page?
Let us know you’re taking part by registering here so that our team can support you throughout the challenge. You can find information on how to set up your fundraising page here in the “online event portal” section.
What support will I receive from the charity?
If you raise £50 or more, we will send you a t-shirt when the challenge has finished and the top 3 fundraisers and teams on our leader board at the end of the challenge will receive a medal.
Whilst The Air Ambulance Service cannot take responsibility for your fundraising activities, our friendly Supporter Experience Team can answer any questions you have and support you with ideas and advice for raising money. Get in touch with them at SET.admin@theairambulanceservice.org.uk
Can I join as a team?
You can sign up as a team of up to 5 people.
Aside from actively fundraising, is there any other criteria people need to meet in order to take part?
You should be fit and healthy (see below) and should carry out the challenge in a way that suits your level of fitness.
You need to be 18 years of age to register and join in with this challenge.
Do I need to prepare for the challenge?
You are responsible for ensuring that you have undertaken any necessary preparation and training to enter and participate in the virtual challenge. Entry and participation is at your own risk. By agreeing to these T&Cs you warrant to us that you will be on the date of the challenge, sufficiently fit and healthy to participate in the race unaided and in accordance with the Agreement.
If you are in any doubt we recommend that you seek medical advice and please also use an appropriate training plan suited to your level of fitness.
Make sure you have the correct swimming attire and safety equipment to complete the challenge safely and comfortably.
What if I raise the sponsorship money but then can’t complete the challenge due to unforeseen circumstances?
As stated in the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Practice, if your sponsors have donated on the condition that you take part in the virtual challenge. If this is the case, please explain the situation to your sponsors and ask if any of them would like a refund. If they would please get in touch with the Charity within 2 weeks of the challenge ending (before 15th June 2025).
How can I show my progress?
You can link a fitness account to your fundraising page to show your donors how you’re getting on, upload photos and share updates.
We would love you to share photos and videos on social media and tag us in them as well so that we can cheer you on publicly as well as the support you’ll get from our team.
Facebook: @TheChildrensAirAmbulance
X: @ChildrensAirAmb
Instagram: @ChildrensAirAmb
Top fundraisers will also display on our challenge leaderboard, which you can see on the challenge page here.
Will you share the fundraising leaderboard winners on social media?
Yes, we will let our followers know who our top fundraisers for the challenge are once the challenge has finished. By entering this challenge, participants consent to their personal information being used for media publication and announcement of results by The Air Ambulance Service. If you would like to opt out of this, please contact us at 0300 3045 999 or email SET.admin@theairambulanceservice.org.uk
Can I do my challenge anywhere?
As this challenge is virtual you are free to choose where you swim and are solely responsible for selecting a safe swimming spot to complete the event. If you aren't swimming in a pool please check to ensure that you avoid trespassing on private land at all times. Check that tracks and paths you are using are public rights of way, most councils have interactive maps of public rights of way on their websites. Alternatively, be sure you have written permission from landowners if you’re going across private land, and always keep to the country code.
If you are completing the challenge as a group, stay aware of your surroundings and members of the public.
Do I need to prove I’ve taken part?
By taking part, participants acknowledge that this is a virtual run and that The Air Ambulance Service will not track or verify results or provide volunteers, marshals or medical personnel assistance to anyone taking part. We do ask that you track your own distance and share proof of this on your fundraising page to encourage donations and show you’ve taken part.
By registering for this event you are accepting the Terms & Conditions detailed above. If you have any further questions that you would like to know the answers to before joining the challenge please do get in touch by emailing SET.admin@theairambulanceservice.org.uk or calling 0300 3045 999.
