Support Joe Thomas: Swimming the Channel for MDS UK!
10 Sep. 2025
It’s true what they say – you can’t keep a good man down! In 2023, Joe Thomas completed an extraordinary 100-mile ultra-marathon, raising over £12,000 for MDS UK after his dad, Pete, was diagnosed with MDS in 2022.
Now Joe is preparing for another Herculean challenge : swimming the English Channel! – 21 miles of cold, unpredictable waters – all to raise vital funds for MDS UK.
Pete and Joe Thomas
Why Joe is swimming the Channel for MDS UK
Joe’s dad, Pete, was diagnosed with MDS in 2022, and since then the family has been supported by MDS UK.
"Thankfully, our family has had incredible support from MDS UK, an extraordinary charity that provides invaluable help to patients like my dad."
Looking for ways to support MDS UK, Joe has taken on challenges that push his body and mind to the limit.
“Any donation, big or small, will make a real difference,” says Joe. “It will help other MDS patients get the support they need when they receive a life-changing diagnosis.”
From the slow lane to the channel
When Joe decided to take on this challenge, he couldn’t swim front crawl. Starting in the slow lane of his local pool, he gradually built up his technique, stamina, and resilience.
In 2025, training moved outdoors to Dover Harbour, where Joe braved icy waters and powerful currents to prepare for the Channel’s notorious conditions – often described as the “M25 of waterways.”
Watch Joe train for his English Channel swim
How you can support Joe and MDS UK
MDS UK receives no NHS or pharmaceutical industry funding. Every service – from running the helpline, to support meetings, research updates, and patient resources – relies on fundraising from people like Joe.
Your support matters. Here’s how you can help:
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Donate to Joe’s Channel Swim – Every pound brings him closer to his fundraising target.
- Fundraise for MDS UK – Through our Fundraise for Us initiative with Fundraizing Hero, you can set up your own challenge or event.
Thank you Joe Thomas
We are deeply grateful to Joe Thomas for his courage and determination. By taking on the challenge of swimming the English Channel, he is helping bring hope and support to countless families affected by MDS.
About MDS UK Patient Support Group
MDS UK is a small, dedicated charity supporting patients and families affected by Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) and CMML. We provide:
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A national support line for patients and carers
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Online support meetings often with specialist speakers
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Information resources and guides
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This website
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Advocacy and updates on the latest MDS research
With MDS World Awareness Day 2025 on October 24th, there has never been a better time to get involved.
