CiN challenge inspires 'non-swimmer' to take the plunge

Dan said he had never taken his feet off the bottom of a pool before

A self-professed "non-swimmer" was so inspired by BBC Radio Oxford's Children in Need swimming challenge that he is joining the team.

Groups from BBC radio stations across the UK are taking part in The Thousand Mile Challenge with each station attempting to cover 24 miles (38.6km).

Dan, from Wantage, has spent the past two weeks having swimming lessons, after getting in touch with the station ahead of the challenge.

He now hopes that he will be able to complete a length alongside the team as they finish on Friday.

Dan's now teammates have spent the last four days swimming 63 lengths each at Ferry Leisure Centre in Summertown.

The group is made up of Breakfast Show presenter Sophie Law, Breakfast newsreader Dan Freeman, journalists Sophie Rumsby and Jordan Brooks, and apprentice Jem Westgate.

The local team features (clockwise from top left) Jem Westgate, Sophie Rumsby, Jordan Brooks, Dan Freeman, and Sophie Law

Dan said: "I've been a non-swimmer for 54 years essentially - I don't think I've ever taken my feet off the bottom of the pool."

He said that one of his daughters had recently started swimming, and that had also encouraged him to learn for himself.

"She's very excited when she goes to the pool and she's splashing around and she wants me to be there with her, but I don't want to be there with her because I just feel I'm going to be splashing more than her."

Dan said he wanted to learn so he could join his daughter Jessica in the water

With the support of BBC Radio Oxford, Dan has been undertaking lessons.

"I'm feeling good - the most amazing thing after two weeks of training is that my body has avoided serious injury."

Ahead of joining the team for a length on Friday, Dan said: "The thing that gives me the biggest nightmare is that I'm going to get there tomorrow and you're going to say 'we're all really sore - can you do the last 20 lengths?'"

Meanwhile, the team received a remarkable boost during their fourth day of swimming.

Halfway through their 63 lengths, Mr Freeman revealed to them he had taken an anonymous call earlier that morning from a woman who had been inspired by the challenge and had donated £500 to Children in Need as a result.

Ms Rumsby said she was "speechless", adding: "It's the best thing I've ever achieved!"

"You never expect that someone would donate that much - it's just incredible," she said.

Ms Law said the donation provided extra motivation for the swim, saying it was "like a little bag of gold dangling above the pool".

To find out more, head to bbc.co.uk/swim.