A vicar is midway through a challenge to swim the length of the channel - in her local pool.
Reverend Jane Parry is swimming 1750 lengths of the Energie Fitness Club pool to raise money for the St Philip and St James Spire Appeal.
Revd Jane Parry explained "I swim nearly every morning, so whilst I was swimming one morning I came up with the bright idea of being sponsored for my swimming! But how?
"I had seen an article many years ago about a group of ladies in Southampton who wanted to swim the channel for charity but it is quite expensive to hire the necessary boat and security, plus it can only be done at certain times for obvious reasons and they decided in relay to swim the channel distance in their local swimming pool.
Revd Parry added "I considered this - 22 miles is a long way, and time is short for me at the best of times. However I calculated that if I swam twice a day swimming 1,000 metres, it would take me 35 days swimming to complete the channel!
"I was encouraged by local sponsorship and will have raised £900+ when I finish on Wednesday 30th October! God willing!
"It has meant a lot of steaming towels and swimsuits on my landing but worth it!"
The Spire Appeal was launched last summer to ensure that the landmark spire is protected for future generations. The Grade II* listed building, which was built in 1853 to the design of the prominent Manchester architect J.S.Crowther, is in need of essential restorations works.
The metal rods which hold the spire together have corroded and need replacing, this will require taking down a substantial proportion of the spire and then building it back up - this and associated works will cost £150,000. So far £70,000 has been raised for the appeal.
If you would like to make a donation towards the Spire Appeal visit their online donation page.
