Trafford News

The swim of his life!

8:20am Sunday 5th September 2010

URMSTON man Ian Shaw is hard at work preparing for the swim of his life.

He and three friends are training to swim the English Channel in just under two weeks time, to raise money for charity ‘Help the Heroes’.

Ian, 54, has been training since January at Urmston Leisure Centre, which he has been a member of for 46 years, and recently in the open waters of Salford Quays, Liverpool Docks and various lakes and coasts in the North of England.

The four men will take turns swimming the 21 miles from Dover to Cap Gris Nez, Calais in the relay swiim, which can take over 20 hours to complete.

However, Ian is confident that the group can complete the swim within 11-14 hours, subject to the tide and weather conditions, and that thoughts of their chosen charity will drive them forward.

So far, the group have raised over £1000 for Help the Heroes, a charity which cares for wounded military personnel, and that Ian and his friends feel is a very worthwhile cause.

“This charity is very much in the public gaze as a result of terrible injuries suffered by so many service personnel in recent conflicts.We feel compelled to try and support those injured in the fighting.”

The friends have also received private donations from Bardsley Construction and The Insider magazine, who each donated £1000 to cover the cost of the boat which will follow the men on their challenge.

To donate, visit Ian’s page at www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/englishchannelswimsrmm.

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