A team of six Watford swimmers between 13 and 15 years old are set to tackle the channel having already raised £6,538.
Watford Swimming Club’s crossing, which is approximately 21 miles from Dover to Cap Gris Nez, will raise funds for Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care on or around September 20. The exact date and time of the challenge will be dictated by tides and weather conditions.
Prisha, 15, Felipe, 13, Sam, 15, Will, 14, Megan, 14, and Barney, 15, will swim one-hour legs in rotation until they reach land in France, after training in open water since the end of April when the water temperature was around 14C.
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They also had to complete a qualification swim in June by swimming continuously for two hours outdoors.
Club vice-chair Jeremy Irvine, who swam the channel himself in 2014, said: “What this group of young people has achieved in the training alone is remarkable.
“When I think back to the beginning of our training they were, understandably, nervous about the water temperature, the distance and the challenges to overcome with a cross-channel relay. But the resilience and confidence they’ve developed over these months of training is remarkable to see.
“They’ve not only shown complete dedication to their training but have really bonded as a team as well.
“As with any relay, it’s a real team event. If one swimmer was unable to complete their leg of the relay, the challenge would be off.
“So the swimmers have been amazing at working together as a team and spurring each other on.”
Ahead of the challenge £6,538 has already been raised for Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care, against a £8,000 goal.
The charity’s fundraising manager Gemma Norris thanked the youngsters for their dedication to raising vital money and wished them good luck.
She added: “The lengths that our supporters go to, to raise money for the charity, never cease to amaze me. And this is a remarkable challenge.
“To tackle a channel swim at any age takes huge amounts of work, dedication and resilience, so to see a group of young people tackling this challenge together is incredible.
Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care provides care and support for adults and children with a progressive life-limiting illness, and those who care for them, in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.
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