This August the Beech Hall "Mencap Marvels" swim squad will attempt to swim the English Channel as a relay team. Swimming both day and night, rain or shine, they will take turns to swim an hour at a time from Samphire Hoe, near Dover to the coast of France.

The official rules specify the squad "wear one swimming hat, a pair of goggles and standard issue swimming costume." Wetsuits are not allowed!

To prepare the children have been conditioned for cold water swimming throughout the winter. With temperatures as low as 4 degrees C the team have been regularly swimming in the sea, lakes and even breaking ice off the school swimming pool for a swim session.

The team have worked hard on their technique and shown enormous commitment, training hard to improve both fitness and stamina. Not to mention practicing being stung by jellyfish and lake swimming in the middle of the night during a lightening storm!

Swimming the channel will be a huge test of teamwork, technique, courage, endurance and mental toughness. The squad are ready for the challenge.

The team are swimming the channel to raise money for Mencap. Mencap do wonderful work supporting people with learning disabilities as well as their families and carers.

Please look at the Mencap webpage to find out more and see some of the work they do.

Thank you in advance for your donation.