Karen Ennis (53, Great Britain, MSF bio here, IISA bio here) has been swimming around the world on behalf of the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, one of Europe’s biggest and busiest children’s hospitals where the staff treats everything from common illnesses to highly complex and specialist conditions.
The 53-year-old has completed two Ice Miles and six of the seven Oceans Seven channels – her ultimate goal is to become the first British woman to achieve the Oceans Seven and raise £100,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
With the Cook Strait, Molokai Channel, Strait of Gibraltar, North Channel, Catalina Channel, and English Channel already done, Ellis is heading to northern Japan next week to complete her final Oceans Seven crossing of the Tsuguru Channel and to achieve her goal of raising money.
She explains her goals, “Over recent years my mental health has really suffered as a result of personal loss. I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and have been on a bit of a journey to get well. Open water swimming and fundraising have formed a big part of my recovery. I was looking round for something I could do to raise money for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and remembered I used to like swimming as a kid. I started swimming at a local pool. I’m a little like the aquatic version of Forrest Gump.
The positivity that fundraising for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital has bought to my life is incredible.”
To donate, visit here.
© 2025 Daily News of Open Water Swimming
“to educate, enthuse, and entertain all those who venture beyond the shoreline“
A World Open Water Swimming Federation project.