“It's also about raising awareness of the beauty”: Miranda Richardson on Norfolk swimming for raising £100,000 for the World Wide Fund for Nature

Miranda Richardson, best known for portraying the role of Reeta Skeeter in the Harry Potter series, recently talked about raising funds and awareness for the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) through a swimming challenge in Norfolk, England.

The English actress who is also a long-time WWF ambassador, will swim 3.5km (2.2 miles) on August 9, 2025, in open water along with her friend and fellow actor, Maggie Service. According to a report in the BBC, the actors will start from Blakeney Harbour, swimming along the River Glaven to Pinchen’s Creek, an estuarine stretch located on the North Norfolk coast.

In an interview with the BBC, Richardson said:

"I wanted to take on this swim with my willing chum Maggie as a challenge for both mind and body. But it's also about raising awareness of the beauty and fragility of our natural habitats.”

Their “Wild Swim Mission” is a part of WWF’s ongoing campaign to reconnect with nature which aims to protect and restore coastal and freshwater ecosystems, and raise £100,000 for WWF.

Continue to read more.

What were the views of Miranda Richardson on her WWF swim mission?

The 67-year-old Miranda Richardson is on a mission to protect nature along with her friend, Maggie Service.

The actresses who have worked together on Good Omens, a series based on Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s novel aim to highlight the beauty and fragility of the natural ecosystems through their coastal challenge.

In an interview with BBC, Richardson said:

“I've never done anything quite like this before. I'm not a professional swimmer. I came to sea swimming relatively late, after a bracing dip in Ireland a few years ago, but I've grown to love it.”

She added:

“We're swimming in an area of Norfolk where saltmarsh, freshwater and sea all meet - an extraordinary habitat that shows just how connected everything is and reminds us how vital it is to protect and restore these links across our landscapes.”

Sharing about her friendship with Miranda Richardson, Maggie Service said:

“Our friendship began in tea breaks on a television job we did together when we realised we had a shared love of animals, nature and swimming. Outdoor swimming is a tonic for the body and the soul. If we restore nature, it can restore us.”

The challenge, which is slated to be held in August this year, has already pledged £12,000 on their JustGiving page.

Why did they choose Norfolk? Because it is at the heart of WWF’s Wholescape programme. According to their JustGiving page,

“WWF has been supporting coastal nature-based solutions that help reduce flooding, absorb carbon, and provide vital habitat for a wide range of species, including fish and birds.”

Trending

A report in 5thingstodotoday indicated that both Miranda Richardson and Maggie Service have taken rigorous training in London’s swim spots such as The Serpentine, Brockwell Lido, and the West Reservoir in Stoke Newington. It is also reported to be the unofficial launch of WWF’s national Swim Challenge, which will also take place in August.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback