Nick Parkes
One Heart. One Swimmer. One Legendary Loch.
My Story: The Day Everything Stopped
In 2023, my heart stopped due to a Sudden Cardiac Arrest during an Open Water Swimming Competition and i was drowning. No warning. No symptoms. Just a normal day that became the fight of my life. I was pulled unresponsive from the water by the Events Team, resuscitated, after 20 minutes downtime and as a result of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance intervention i survived against all odds. I was in a coma for two days- then followed a double heart bypass undertaken by the outstanding Cardiology Department at Sheffield General Hospital.
I survived because people acted fast. Now I'm doing something with that second chance.
I'm swimming the full length of Loch Ness — a world first for any sudden cardiac arrest survivor — to raise awareness, save lives, and give back to the people who gave me mine.
World First Challenge
No sudden cardiac arrest survivor has ever swam the full length of Loch Ness — until now.
Why Loch Ness
Loch Ness is one of the most demanding open water swims in the world; the perfect stage to show how far you can come back from a cardiac arrest.
Supporting These Causes
Every stroke I take raises vital funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK — the people who save lives like mine every single day.
Be Part of the Chain of Survival
I was saved because a kayaker noticed, bystanders acted, and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance arrived in time. That chain of people — strangers, paramedics, surgeons — is the reason I'm still here.
This swim is my way of paying back. Every donation funds CPR education, defibrillator access, and vital support for cardiac arrest survivors and their families across the UK. It keeps Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopters in the air. And it proves that one person's second chance can help thousands of others get theirs.
Donate today — and become part of someone's survival story.
Yorkshire Air Ambulance
The team who helped save my life. Their rapid response, expertise, and dedication give countless people across the region a fighting chance. They rely entirely on donations to keep their helicopters in the air.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK
A community offering support, awareness, and education for survivors, cosurvivors, families, and those affected. They work tirelessly to improve understanding, recovery, and survival rates across the UK.
Reach Out to Me
If you want to learn more about my swims or how you can contribute, please feel free to contact me. Let's talk!