Channel swimmers raise £40,000 for hospital

The team completed the swim in just over 17 hours

A team of six swimmers have successfully taken on the English Channel, raising more than £40,000 for a hospital unit in the process.

The Oxford Orcas left Dover at 01:14 BST on 27 September and swam the 21 miles (34km) to northern France in just over 17 hours.

The team had been due to tackle the swim in July but were "weathered out", with lightning and high winds meaning it wasn't safe.

They money raised will go to the Paediatric Critical Care Unit at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital.

Consultant, Dr Michael Carter and lead education nurse, Rosie Priddy, who work on the unit both took part in the swim.

Oxford University Hospitals chief medical officer, Prof Andrew Brent, Sarah Vaccari from Oxford Hospitals Charity and supporters Hazel Shaw and George Middleton completed the Orcas team.

Two months on from the original date for the challenge, Prof Brent was the first to enter the water for their attempt.

"It was an honour to be the first swimmer, setting off with the White Cliffs of Dover behind me," he said.

"We've all been training for a long time, and swimming under a clear night sky with the lights of the boat as my beacon was sublime."

The team had to deal with cold water, jellyfish and cargo ships during the swim

Each team member swam in rotation in the 16C water for an hour at a time - all without wetsuits.

Ms Priddy said the first few hours had been "a bit choppy, meaning we had to work extra hard to power through, especially those like me, battling seasickness".

"But as we approached France the waters calmed and conditions were perfect," she said.

"As a nurse on the ward it was a privilege to do something so positive to help the families we care for."

Ms Vaccari added that she felt "so lucky" to have been part of the "amazing team".

"To swim in the middle of the Channel watching the sun rise is something I'll never forget," she said.

The final leg of the swim was completed by Ms Shaw who said the "final moments... couldn't have been more beautiful".

"It's an experience I will never forget," she added.

The more than £40,000 raised by the team will be used to fund additional equipment, support for patients and specialist training for nursing staff.