Soldiers take on cross-Channel swim for charity

Six soldiers are to swim across the English Channel to raise money for a charity helping fusiliers in need.

The mixed gender group from The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, based in Tidworth, Wiltshire, will work together to complete the 21 miles (34km) from Dover to Calais on 1 July.

Hoping to complete the relay crossing within 16 hours, the soldiers are raising money for the Fusiliers Aid Society, which supports serving and retired fusiliers and their families during hardship.

Soldier Keeley Lloyd-Janes said the group were confident in its ability to complete the swim but were more concerned about the "psychological challenges we'll face".

"There's things like jellyfish, big shipping vessels that'll be out, and just being out in the open water and not knowing what is around you and what's underneath you," she added.

A support boat will accompany the swimmers, who will take it in turns to swim for an hour.

If they succeed, they will become the first mixed gender infantry team and the first fusiliers to complete the challenge.

Ms Lloyd-Janes said the team have been training three times a week in pools and lakes.

"We've had to adapt our bodies to be able to cope in cold water so we are going to be able to conduct it and swim comfortably when it comes," she said.

"Another big challenge will be going back in the water once you've done your hour."

Ms Lloyd-Janes said no one on the team had "done anything like this before".

She added: "The team as a whole has pretty much gone zero to hero."

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