Swim for Switchboard: Jack Murley launches bold swimming challenge

Award-winning broadcaster Jack Murley has launched a bold new challenge this month, trading his podcast microphone for a pair of goggles as he attempts to swim 28 kilometres in 31 days to raise funds for Switchboard, one of the UK’s oldest LGBTQ+ helplines.

Murley, best known for his long-running podcast amplifying LGBTQ+ voices in sport, is undertaking the Swim for Switchboard to highlight the enduring legacy of Section 28 - the controversial legislation that banned the “promotion” of homosexuality in schools - and to support the vital work of Switchboard, which has been offering a listening ear to LGBTQ+ people for over 50 years.

“The number 28 isn’t random,” Murley explained. “It’s a deliberate nod to Section 28 and the shadow it still casts. This swim is about visibility, resilience, and raising money for a service that’s been there for our community through thick and thin”.

The 37-year-old broadcaster, who has spent over seven years interviewing LGBTQ+ athletes from Olympians to grassroots heroes, said he was inspired by their courage and honesty. “I’ve been lucky enough to hear how much of a difference it makes when people feel seen and heard. Switchboard does that every single day — and they need our support now more than ever”.

Murley’s challenge comes at a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under renewed pressure globally, and funding for queer charities is increasingly precarious. “Pride Month may be over, but our lives don’t stop on 1 July,” he said. “This is about showing up when it matters most”.

The swim - nearly the equivalent of crossing the English Channel - is no small feat for someone who admits he’s “never done anything like this before.” But with encouragement from elite athletes who’ve appeared on his show, Murley is diving in with determination. “I’ve had Olympians giving me tips, and while I don’t have their athleticism, I’ve got their spirit behind me”.

Supporters can follow his journey and donate via his GoFundMe page