Keith and Jo train to swim the Solent

Wightlink CEO to swim the Solent for motor neurone disease charity

Wightlink Chief Executive Keith Greenfield is embarking on a gruelling challenge this summer – swimming more than five kilometres across the Solent for charity. 

Keith and his daughter Jo Hudson will be taking part in Swim the Solent on Monday 8th August 2022, helping raise money for people living with motor neurone disease (MND) and research into the condition. 

Greenfield: Discovered health benefits of swimming in the sea during Covid
Keith explains,

“Wightlink supports many charities and good causes on the Isle of Wight and mainland, but I was personally challenged to take part in this one.

“I started open water swimming when Covid closed the public pools and quickly discovered the health benefits of swimming in the sea, rivers and lakes. I have tackled some shorter distances of about a mile but this crossing from Gosport to Ryde will be more than twice my previous record. MND is a cruel incurable disease and I am delighted to play my part to help defeat it.” 

Jo is a keen swimmer, but hasn’t had much opportunity to swim open water for the last few years, so she will have to work up to this 5km challenge. 

Show your support
To show your support you can donate via their Just Giving page.

Find out more about Swim the Solent on their Website.

The MND Foundation
Ian Pratt set up his MND Foundation after he was diagnosed with the condition in 2012. It increases awareness of MND, supports people with the disease and aids research into its causes.

Since 2013, the annual swim has raised more than £200,000 for the charity. 


News shared by Karen on behalf of Wightlink. Ed