On Saturday, August 10th, 2024, under the warm sun and calm seas, Liverpool Heartbeat proudly celebrated the 31st anniversary of the Across Mersey Swim, an iconic event that saw 173 brave participants swim from Cockle Inlet in Liverpool to Monks Ferry slipway in Birkenhead. Large crowds gathered to cheer them on as they emerged from the River Mersey, marking the culmination of an extraordinary journey.

This historic swim, first recorded as part of the Liverpool Olympic Festival in 1863, was reintroduced in 1994 by Robin Baynes MBE, Jimmy Tinsley, and Bob Jones, following a successful English Channel Relay Swim that raised £35,000 for The Royal Liverpool University Hospital’s Forget Me Not Cancer Appeal, in memory of Robin's sister-in-law, Barbara Marshall. Since then, the event has grown in significance, welcoming swimmers of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to participate in support of numerous charities.

The 2024 swim was a testament to the power of community, with safety teams, volunteers, and sponsors all coming together to make the event a great success. Swimmers were waved off by the Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mr. Mark Blundell, and Miss Liverpool, Charlotte Grant, as they crossed the Mersey in teams, or PODs, for safety, guided by Kayakers led by Colin and supported by fifteen volunteer RIB safety boats from local clubs. Special thanks go to New Brighton Lifeboat, the RNLI, and Marine Fire1 for their constant support throughout the swim.

The event concluded with the swimmers being warmly welcomed ashore by the Mayor of Wirral, Councillor Cherry Povall, who praised the participants for their courage, dedication, and the immense charitable contributions made through their efforts. This year, the swim supported a wide range of charities, including Liverpool Heartbeat, Split Perspectivz, Sam Jalloh Motivate Africa, Stick n’ Step, Special Boat Service Association, Wallasey Amateur Boxing Club, Maggie’s Cancer Support, The HIVE Birkenhead, The Paul Lavelle Foundation, tri-4-life, and the respective Lord Mayor Charities.

Among the many standout participants were Barbara Rigby, the oldest female swimmer, and 86-year-old Joe Kerrigan, the oldest male swimmer. The youngest swimmer, ten-year-old Florence Millward, completed the swim alongside her father, Tom, becoming a true inspiration to all.

The event culminated in a medal ceremony led by Liam Hanlon, event organiser and “King of the Mersey,” who was joined by the Lord-Lieutenant, the Mayor, and the various POD Captains. Special recognition was given to Chris Shawfrom Wallasey REDCAPS, whose selfless dedication to helping others conquer the Mighty River Mersey earned him a standing ovation.

A huge thank you to all the participants, safety teams, and sponsors, especially Glen Affric Brewery, who provided their signature beer “Bevie Across the Mersey” to all swimmers and support crews. Your efforts have helped raise substantial funds for countless charities, ensuring that this event remains a lasting legacy of community spirit and generosity.

We look forward to welcoming even more participants to next year’s Across Mersey Swim, where we’ll continue to celebrate courage, resilience, and the power of giving back to those in need.



Liverpool Heartbeat is proud to be part of such a remarkable tradition and thanks everyone for their continued support!