World-record swimmer to take on Swiss lake challenge to raise awareness of son's rare neurological condition
Since 1992
The Brain Charity is a national charity that provides support and information to people with neurological conditions and their families. The charity offers a range of services, including information and advice, counselling, and support groups.
Since 2018
PANS PANDAS UK is the only UK charity for children and young people living with the post-infectious neuropsychiatric disorders PANS and PANDAS. With no widely adopted clinical guidelines across the NHS, the charity provided the only avenue of support, trusted information and advice to families in the PANS/PANDAS community.
“This is the toughest challenge I’ve ever taken on,” says Neil. “I’ve never done more than one major swim a year because of the physical and mental toll. Now, I’m aiming to swim the 10 largest lakes in Switzerland; 369km over two years.” Neil Gilson
A British father is set to swim the ten largest lakes in Switzerland, including an attempt to break his own world-record at Lac Leman, to raise awareness of a devastating childhood neurological condition that changed his son's life at just two years old.
Neil Gilson, 40, from North Devon, was once ranked second in Britain for the 1500m freestyle. A seasoned open water endurance swimmer, he made headlines after completing a 22-hour, 9-minute, 72km world-record swim across Lac Leman in July 2024. Now, he's taking on an even bigger feat: swimming ten "great Swiss lakes" over the next two years to raise funds and awareness for The Brain Charity and the Pans Pandas UK; the latter of which he has already raised £17,920.75 for through past fundraising efforts.
"It happened almost overnight," Neil said. "He went from a happy toddler to someone we couldn't recognise. We saw countless doctors and got nowhere. I felt helpless."
The challenge is deeply personal. Neil's son, Jack, now nine, was just two when he suddenly developed obsessive-compulsive behaviours, aggression, and regression following repeated infections. Jack was later diagnosed with PANDAS. PANDAS is a rare disorder, where a misdirected immune response mistakenly attacks the brain following common infections like strep throat or tonsillitis.
"Swimming is what I know, and I want to use it to bring visibility to a condition that's still so misunderstood."
“Neil’s incredible challenge is testament to his love of his son Jack and his experience of the devastating impact neurological conditions can have.
Tui Benjamin Thorp, Head of Communications and Fundraising at The Brain Charity