Double the money from charity swim

12:00pm Saturday 22nd November 2008

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A KIND-HEARTED Stourport man who made a splash by swimming the length of the English Channel has dived straight back into the water to swim another 22 miles for charity.

Nicholas Lee has spent every day over the last nine weeks perfecting his breast stroke while swimming up to 50 lengths at a 25-metre pool in Bewdley.

The 53-year-old is raising cash for Aspire – a charity that supports people with spinal injury and has so far collected over £500.

He started the charity’s Channel challenge, to swim the length of the English Channel in 12 weeks, on September 15.

After a lot of hard work and dedication Mr Lee completed the 22 miles four weeks before the end date of December 7.

He put his swimming hat and goggles back on and made the decision to swim another 22 miles to raise an extra £500.

The acupuncturist, of Burlish Crossing, said: “I’m very determined. I decided to do the challenge as I had some minor back problems in my late 30s and 40s.

“I saw this challenge and I thought, I can do that, all I have to do is turn up at the swimming baths every morning for 12 weeks and I can do it.

“When I first started I did 25 lengths each morning and I thought I was a hero but I have built it up and now I’m doing 50 lengths so I have doubled it.

“I have also been taking swimming lessons which has improved my style.

“The lessons have helped me to improve my breaststroke dramatically.

“You get more out of it than you put into it.”

Mr Lee added that he was confident he would complete the 955 lengths that he has left to swim by December 7.

“I have swam 1,877 lengths so far and I want to do 2,832 lengths. The challenge was to swim 1,416 lengths,” he said.

“I have always loved swimming. When I was younger I used to swim outdoors.”

People can sponsor Mr Lee by logging on to www.justgiving.com/nicholaslee1