BBC Jersey starts challenge for Children in Need

Gemma Daubney and Luca Bott Parkinson were excited to get the Thousand Mile Challenge going

BBC Jersey has started the Thousand Mile Challenge for Children in Need.

All local BBC stations across the British Isles are swimming that distance in total (1,600km) to raise money for the charity.

It means each station has to swim 24 miles (40km) before the end of Friday.

BBC Jersey is doing the challenge at AquaSplash pool and those taking part have to swim, on average, 63 lengths a day to hit the target.

Gemma and Luca are doing their swims for the challenge together

Gemma Daubeney and Luca Bott Parkinson did their first swims together for the challenge.

Ms Daubeney said: "Luca’s amazing technique has really inspired me," adding: "My snail’s pace will keep him humble."

Mr Bott Parkinson said: "I feel like it’s day five [but] we rounded up the swim to 70 lengths; so less swimming to do next time."

Kate Jennings, Chris Craddock and Alison Moss are also taking part in the challenge.

Chris Craddock was all smiles before he started the challenge for BBC Children in Need

Chris Craddock was the first member of BBC Jersey who got into the pool for the challenge.

He said it had been a "decent start" and he was "a bit out of breath but still going strong".

"I was in the pool for an hour and did my 63 lengths while taking it relatively easy for the first day," Mr Craddock added.

BBC Children in Need currently sends funds of about £210,000 to help support projects in Jersey.

Kate Jennings swam the furthest on day one for BBC Jersey