Ronan Keating and Jenny Frost led a 10-man relay team across the treacherous 56 miles of Irish Sea to raise money for Cancer Research UK last week.
The team – a mixture of celebrities and ‘everyday swimmers’ – reached Dublin in 35 hours and 18 minutes after setting off from Holyhead, North Wales at 9pm on 30 August 2011.
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Nikki Fraser (18) and Olly White (33) were invited to take part in the challenge after winning a two-day trial event in Brighton.
And Nikki, a member of Stocksbridge Pentaqua swimming club in Sheffield, said: “It was an incredible challenge but raising money to help beat cancer was the ultimate motivation. It was a win-win situation – I got to do something I really love while raising money for a worthwhile cause.
“I feel at home in the sea. The only thing I don’t like is jelly fish but I just tried to swim right past them.”
Meanwhile, Primary School teacher Olly – who completed a Channel swim in 11 hours, 43 minutes in 2005 – admitted he was expecting a tough challenge.
“I knew the Irish Sea was going to be rough and unpredictable but I’m very excited that I was able to accomplish something that I’d been working towards for a long time,” said Olly.
“It’s ironic because I was never the strongest swimmer as a child but these challenges have made me a much fitter, stronger swimmer the older I’ve become.”
Further information about The Swim for Cancer Research UK can be found at www.the-swim.co.uk.
People can sponsor Nikki at www.virginmoneygiving.com/NikkiFraser.