Man with spinal disability joins cross-channel swim

Adam Simcox will be taking part in a relay cross-channel swim in July

A man who has a long-term spinal disability is taking on the English Channel to help others with similar conditions.

Adam Simcox, 42, has undergone a number of operations, including a double spinal fusion, but is still left in chronic pain.

The condition deprives him of running and cycling so he uses swimming to keep fit.

He will be taking part in a relay cross-channel swim in July.

Mr Simcox, from Thame, Oxfordshire, was previously a keen runner and completed two marathons but several years ago he was diagnosed with disk degeneration, retrolisthesis, spondylolisthesis and a spinal fracture.

He told BBC Radio Oxford: "I need something to focus on and something to drive me.

"I used to swim when I was younger but since I had the double fusion in my spine two years ago, obviously running and cycling were no longer possible, so to try and do some cardio and do some exercise, I got back in the pool."

Mr Simcox is raising money for Aspire, a charity supporting people with spinal injuries.

"They were advertising for people to swim the channel as part of the relay team to raise money for their charity, which is very close to my heart already," he said.

Teams of six will take part in the 22-mile (35km) swim from England to France.

Each swimmer will take it in turn to swim for an hour in rotation until the team reaches France.

The challenge is expected to take about 14 hours.

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