BBC presenter joins Solent swim for MND

Edward Sault was among 30 people taking part in the challenge

Thirty people have taken part in an annual swim across the Solent in memory of a man who died of motor neurone disease (MND).

Now in its 10th year, the event raises funds for a charity set up by Ian Pratt, who died in 2020.

Due to its popularity, the challenge takes place over two days, with small groups and support boats making the crossing together.

Among the swimmers was BBC South presenter Edward Sault who spoke to Ian's wife and close friend before taking the plunge.

On a rare sunny summer's day, I found myself on the steps near the Prince Consort building in Ryde.

I was with a group of seven others about to battle the weather, tide and currents - and a major shipping lane - as we swam across the Solent.

Ian Pratt – originally from Australia, who lived in Barnsley, Yorkshire - was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2012.

I was invited to take part in the swim by his friend, Tony Bray, from Stubbington, Hampshire, who has organised the event for the past 10 years.

In that time, participants have raised £325,000 for the Ian Pratt MND Foundation, which supports efforts to find a cure for the disease.

"He faced motor neurone disease with great courage, and he would talk to anybody about it," said Tony.

"He wanted everybody to know. So this is great, because it's letting people know.

"He carried the baton for as long as he could, and then when he couldn't carry it any more, we've taken it on for him."

Organiser Tony Bray is supported by Ian's wife, Catherine McGaw-Pratt

Ian's wife, Catherine, was also there supporting the swimmers, hoping for "a world free of MND".

She said, when people were diagnosed, she wanted doctors to be able to "just go bang, here is a jab... so that sufferers are all fine again".

"I would love that to happen," she said.

The conditions for the swim couldn't have been better - the water was flat, calm and shiny, like glass. The sun was out, for once, and it felt glorious.

It is estimated to be about three miles (5km) from point to point but, with tidal conditions, it took us just shy of 4 miles (7km) as we swam in the shape of the letter C.

As I slid through the water, I could see aircraft heading into Southampton Airport and yachts, boats, ships and ferries criss-crossing the busy stretch of water.

Safety was paramount - everything had to have the clearance of the harbour master and my pod had to stay together as we crossed the busy shipping lane.

We had support boats and kayakers on hand making sure we were ok. This wasn’t just a jolly swim on a sunny day.

Swimmers were accompanied by support boats

Ellie and Louise were my support crew on my right-hand side, armed with sweets for a sugar rush and some water, as after swimming in salt water for over two and a half hours, believe it or not, I was thirsty.

They were part of an army of volunteers who make the swim possible.

After losing sight of the Isle of Wight, the mainland came into view. Our finish line was the beach near Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue service.

The red doors were what we were aiming for, but they just never seemed to get closer.

Eventually they did and I emerged from the water.

As I dried off, I looked back across the Solent with a huge sense of pride. I’d done it and was grinning from ear to ear.