Club Soda founder to swim 140km to mark 140 years of The Drinks Trust
UK low and no alcohol drinks expert and Club Soda founder Laura Willoughby MBE is to swim 140km in 140 different pools to mark 140 years of The Drinks Trust.
Beginning the ordeal at the start of this year, her aim is to swim in as many different places by the end of 2026 to raise as much money as possible for the drinks trade charity in its milestone anniversary year.
Commenting on the challenge, she told db that her plan was to focus on covering 1km in all the local authority swimming pools of London – which amount to 109 – as well as further swims in private leisure centres and anywhere swimmable, including the open sea.
She told db that she had chosen to fundraise for The Drinks Trust due to its worthy and effective work supporting those in need within the UK drinks industry – a role it has performed since 1886, which makes it one of the oldest benevolent organisations in the country.
Willoughby also hopes to raise awareness of The Drinks Trust through her swims, with regular updates on social media, telling db that the charitable organisation exists to support anyone suffering from hardship in the UK drinks sector, and that more trade professionals should be aware of the help that the trust can provide.
DB takes part
In an effort to help Willoughby reach her target of swimming in 140 different places, db swam with her at The Hurlingham Club in London on Monday morning this week to cover 1km in a 33 yard (30.2m) outdoor pool kept at a fairly bracing 15 degrees Celsius.
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Meanwhile, The Drinks Trust is marking 140 years since its foundation with a “Special Anniversary Edition” of its Face It Together campaign, which invites “the whole drinks industry to take part in both celebration and action”.
Commenting on the launch, Nicky Burston, CEO of The Drinks Trust said: “Throughout 2026, we will encourage industry businesses and individuals to organise fundraising events, raise awareness and contribute to a shared movement that shines a light on the vital work of The Drinks Trust.”
Continuing, she said, “At a time when our industry continues to face significant challenges, this campaign is both a tribute to 140 years of resilience and a powerful call for unity; it reminds us that we are stronger when we face it together.”
To find out more about how to support the campaign, please visit www.faceittogether.org.uk or get in touch with The Drinks Trust’s Fundraising Team at partnerships@drinkstrust.org.uk
Click here to donate to Laura Willoughby’s 140km in 140 swims.
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