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Charity swim in English Channel fundraiser's memory

Shannen Headley & Andrew Dawkins
BBC News, West Midlands
BBC Six swimmers, a mixture of men and women, who are taking part in the challenge, are in the pool posing for the camera. For most, their hands are in the air and they are smiling.BBC
More than 90 people are taking part in the 36-hour challenge in memory of crew commander Iain Hughes

Friends and colleagues of a West Midlands Fire Service commander are powering up and down a pool to honour his memory and raise money for charity.

Crew Commander Iain Hughes died as he attempted to swim the English Channel for charity in 2023.

Mr Hughes was a "respected and loved" member of the Technical Rescue Unit, the service said.

More than 90 people are taking part in the 36-hour swim, which started at 07:00 BST at David Lloyd Clubs in Brierley Hill, where Mr Hughes used to train.

They are raising money for the Fire Fighters Charity - one of the causes Mr Hughes was raising funds for.

The Dudley resident started the challenge with a support boat from Dover in June 2023.

However, more than 11 hours in he disappeared, with the 42-year-old's body recovered near Belgium, on 4 July.

West Midlands Fire Service A man in multi-coloured swimming trunks sin front of a large body of water - posing with his thumbs up and wearing a blue swim cap. West Midlands Fire Service
The marathon feat is in memory of Iain Hughes who was swimming the English Channel, in 2023, to raise money for charity when he died

Unlike last year, the event is outdoors and people are enjoying swimming in hot weather.

Jim McParland, who had known Mr Hughes since the latter joined the service two decades ago, said he was a "real kind, genuine giant of a man".

Mr McParland added: "He really looked after everyone. He was very gentle. He was very caring.. But he was an absolute machine as well.

"He was a powerhouse, whether we played football, he had a go at rugby… he just was this larger than life character."

Jim McParland with a beard is standing up by the pool. He is wearing a red top and looking at the camera
Jim McParland, who worked with Mr Hughes, said the water was hot, ahead of getting into the pool himself on Saturday

Mr McParland said it was "really important to get all of Iain's friends together and do something together that we know Iain loved".

"Some people… are hanging on quite a while afterwards and having a drink and having something to eat, so it has got a bit of a holiday feel to it."

The lane occupies most of the image, with one swimmer in the foreground. Two other people swimming are nearer to the other end of the pool.
Swimmers used one lane at an outdoor pool

Andy Gilmour-Jones, who joined the unit when Mr Hughes did, completed 2,000m in an hour.

He said: "None of us will be swimmers or athletes as he was.

"[He was] a very special guy, so for us to be able to even do a small nod towards that, it's really important for us to continue that legacy."

Andy Gilmour-Jones is in the pool wearing goggles. He is posing for the camera with his hand resting on the side of the pool.
Andy Gilmour-Jones completed 2,000m in an hour earlier

A coroner concluded Mr Hughes' death was a result of misadventure, calling for more clarity on when a Channel swim should be aborted.

The Just Giving page for the fundraising event said money would go towards financing a project dedicated to Mr Hughes, at one of three rehabilitation centres belonging to the charity.

The fire service said it "doesn't matter how many [lengths] or how fast, we just want everyone to join in and enjoy themselves".

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