Relay starts in channel swimmer's memory

Iain Hughes went missing during a solo swim in the English Channel on 20 June last year

Nearly 50 friends of Iain Hughes, a firefighter who died during a charity swim in the English Channel, are set to take on a 36-hour challenge in his memory.

A continuous swimming relay will be carried out at the David Lloyd health club in Dudley on Thursday and Friday.

The volunteers will swim for 45 minutes each and hope to cover 50 miles ( 80 km) in total.

So far, just under £5,500 has been raised which will be donated to Mr Hughes' chosen charities.

The crew manager, who was based at Wednesbury fire station, had trained for two years for the challenge

The 42-year-old from Dudley started the solo challenge with a support boat from Dover on 20 June last year before disappearing.

He was confirmed dead when his body was found in waters near Belgium.

The crew manager had been raising money for three charities: the Fire Fighters Charity, British Heart Foundation and Midland Air Ambulance.

An online fundraiser he launched before his death has been inundated with more than £80,000 in donations, far exceeding the £21,000 target.

Proceeds from the relay will go to the same organisations.

Jim McParland, watch commander in Wednesbury, is one of the organisers and had swimming lessons from Mr Hughes.

He told the BBC: "Iain was a man machine, he pushed himself to the limit, he was incredibly fit but he supported the people around him.

"We're trying to inspire people to come, celebrate and remember by doing something that he loved.

"There are a lot of people affected by Iain's passing, we want to carry his memory and his legacy."

The swimming enthusiast was well known for his love of wearing "budgie smugglers" so the volunteers will also wear them as a tribute

Mr Hughes was known for wearing colourful "budgie smuggler" swimwear, so the 48 volunteers will also don similar pants to pay homage to him.

Mr McParland added: "Hopefully he's up there having a great laugh at us all."