Charity swim in English Channel fundraiser's memory

The marathon feat is in memory of Iain Hughes who was swimming the English Channel, in 2023, to raise money for charity when he died

Friends and colleagues of a West Midlands Fire Service commander will take part in a marathon swim to honour his memory and raise money for charity.

Crew Commander Iain Hughes died as he attempted to swim the English Channel for charity, in 2023.

Mr Hughes was a "respected and loved" member of the Technical Rescue Unit, the service said.

The swimmers will start a 36-hour swim later, at David Lloyds Club in Brierley Hill, where Mr Hughes used to train.

They will raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity - one of the good causes Mr Hughes was raising money for when he died.

Mr Hughes, who lived in Dudley, started the solo charity challenge with a support boat from Dover in June 2023.

However, more than 11 hours in he disappeared, with the 42-year-old's body recovered in waters near Belgium, on 4 July.

A coroner later concluded his death was a result of misadventure, calling for more clarity on when a Channel swim should be aborted, to avoid further deaths.

The Just Giving page for the fundraising event said the funds raised will go towards financing a project dedicated to Mr Hughes, at one of three rehabilitation centres belonging to the charity.

The centres help serving and retired firefighters and their families recover from injuries and illnesses.

"Swimmers will be setting off on the hour, every hour, with the goal of swimming as many lengths as they can in one go," the fire service said.

"It doesn't matter how many or how fast, we just want everyone to join in and enjoy themselves doing something Iain was so passionate about."