Charity relay held in memory of cross-Channel swimmer

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

A charity swimming relay will be held in memory of a fundraiser who lost his life while attempting to cross the English Channel.

Firefighter Iain Hughes, from Dudley, died in June 2023 after losing contact with his support boat.

After his death, friends of the 42-year-old promised to continue his fundraising work to honour his memory.

They are asking 48 people to take part in the challenge in March to raise money for three of his charities.

On their Peoples Fundraising page the organisers of Hughesy's Relay Swim described him as a "much loved, respected and truly inspirational member of our fire service family".

He died attempting to cross the Channel in support of three charities, The Firefighters Charity, The British Heart Foundation and the Midland Air Ambulance Charity.

The relay swim on 7 and 8 March will support the same three charities and be held at the David Lloyds Leisure Centre in Brierley Hill.

His friends said he spent "countless hours training in the pool" and also encouraged many others to get into swimming.