During GBS and CIDP Awareness Month 2026 we are encouraging everyone to help us raise funds and raise awareness by getting IN the water.

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Our community are always telling us how beneficial swimming is to recovery and to mobility, so that got us thinking about our 2026 Awareness Month challenge. Not everyone has access to a pool, or has the strength or ability to swim (for instance our Chief Exec can't manage a length!!) We wanted the challenge to be accessible to everyone, so we have come up with a some choices so that everyone can get INvolved.

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These are just some ideas. Feel free to use your imagination to come up with something water based that works for you.

 

Get IN a pool

You don't have to commit to swimming everyday, or to completing a swimmer's marathon (10,000m in case you were wondering), but if you want to set yourself a pool based challenge then why not think about what you can achieve, and get some sponsorship to support us help other people.

 

Get IN the shower​

If you don't want to swim, walk/swim, or even get in a pool, then why not think about getting in the shower. Turn it down a bit, and give yourself a cool blast for a little while. You could even take a cool shower everyday for a month!

Put your hands IN cold water​

If you want to get INvolved, and aren't impacted by an Inflammatory Neuropathy, then why not try feeling what it might be like. Many people with peripheral nerve damage have issues with fine motor skills, particularly in their fingers. While it isn't the same, you can (kind of) replicate the feeling by plunging your hands under a cold tap for a minute or two, or into a bowl of cool water until nice and cold, and tingly (again, though - not painfully!). Remove and dry them, and straight away try to send a message on your phone or button a shirt! It’s only a hint of what someone living with an Inflammatory Neuropathy might experience, but it’s a start to understanding life with the condition. 

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Try it, tell your friends, and get them to do the same.

 

 Take a dip 

For those of you fancying something more extreme, and who really want a challenge, then why not try raising money for Inflammatory Neuropathies UK by taking a cold/cool bath, or getting in a cold pod, or even an ice bath. Always do this with supervision and the right support though, as cold water can be very dangerous.

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 Raise Funds

By raising funds for Inflammatory Neuropathies UK, you can help us reach and engage with more people impacted by GBS, CIDP, MMN, and other conditions. The more people we can reach, the more people we can support, and the more we can reduce the impact of these life-altering conditions.

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Your fundraising goes into support; raising awareness; funding, facilitating, and undertaking research; and advocating and campaigning for our amazing community.

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To raise vital funds through your IN the water challenge, head over to JustGiving and set up a fundraising page - Inflammatory Neuropathies UK - JustGiving 

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To make it easier for people to donate, we also have an option to donate via text. It's a great way to donate then pass the challenge on to someone else to join in.

 

Text COLD to 70470 to donate £10.

Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message, and you’ll be opting into hearing more from us. If you would like to donate but don’t wish to hear more from us, please text COLDNOINFO instead.

 

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 Raise Awareness 

It's not all about money, we also need you to tell people all about GBS, CIDP, MMN, and other Inflammatory Neuropathies, as well as telling people about the charity itself. Make sure you share what you are doing on social media, using the hashtag #INthewater. And tag us in so we can see what you are up - @inflamneurouk.

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Feel free to send us some pics and stories too via hello@inflammatoryneuropathies.uk

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Tell all your family and friends what you are doing and why. Tell them about a condition that impacts you, or someone you know, and ask them to tell others. Or even better tell them to get INvolved themselves.

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Get INvolved

This is all about having fun and making sure as many people as possible know about Inflammatory Neuropathies, and what living with them is like. Get INvolved, tell your friends, or get them INvolved as well.

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There will be medals and rewards for those taking part, so please tell us what you are planning to do by completing the form below.​