WEATHER conditions on the English Channel are being monitored as a fundraiser prepares to swim across it to raise money for charity.

Gary Morton, 39, plans to swim 21 miles from Dover to Calais in a bid to raise £50,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) and close family friend Robin Dobie.

Policeman Robin was diagnosed with MND in July 2012, aged 37. He said: “I am extremely grateful to have a friend such as Gary whose commitment to achieve this incredible sporting challenge is quite unbelievable. I cannot begin to tell you how hard he’s worked in preparation for his Channel swim”.

Gary, from Helmshore, said: “When I heard the devastating news about Rob I decided to set myself a challenge to raise money to help him through the tough times ahead and for MNDA, to help raise awareness of the disease.”

He will attempt his swim during optimal conditions on the best day between Monday and August 10.

Gary will follow strict guidelines that allow him to wear only 8cm swimming briefs, a swim cap and goggles. He will be guided across the Channel by specialist pilots.

“I am hoping to complete the challenge in 14 hours and it will take about 50,000 strokes to get me across the Channel,” Gary added.

“The main risk associated with Channel swimming is hypothermia. The water temperature will vary from 12 to 16 degrees and I will be faced with other challenges such as sewage, jelly fish, tides and one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world — with over 600 vessels and 200 ferries every day.”

Head of buying at Wigan-based DW Sports, Gary has been backed by chairman Dave Whelan. “This is a very brave challenge,” Dave said. “We wish him the best of luck.”

Gary’s swim attempt will come just weeks after 34-year-old accountant Susan Taylor died just one mile from finishing her Channel swimming challenge.

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/GEMortonMNDA or by sending a cheque made payable to ‘MNDA Channel Swim’ direct to Gary Morton, DW Sports Ltd, Whelco Place, Enfield Industrial Estate, Enfield Street, Pemberton, Wigan, Lancs, WN5 8DB.

SWIMMING THE CHANNEL

  • The shortest distance across the Channel is 21 miles, but the tide can force swimmers to zig zag along their route, increasing the distance.
  • The fastest swim across the Channel was a little over seven hours while the longest was nearly 27 hours.
  • Swims usually start at or near Shakespeare’s Cliffe or Sampshire Hoe and aim to finish at or near Cap Gris Nez between Calais and Boulogne.
  • Crossing the Channel has been likened to climbing the Everest in terms of its difficulty. Gale force winds are common as are waves of up to 2 metres tall.
  • Most swimmers cover themselves in grease to keep out the cold as much as possible. Others apply it to just the ‘rubbing areas’ such as the neck and shoulders, arm pits and groin.
  • Captain Matthew Webb was the first person to swim the Channel unaided. He swam it in 1875