Swim For Heroes complete Thames challenge

Eight charity swimmers have completed a non-stop relay along the 236km non-tidal length of the Thames in support of Help for Heroes. Running from the source in Kemble, Gloucestershire, they swam more than 200km from Hannington Bridge to Teddington Lock in Twickenham.

Inspired by extreme swimmer Lewis Pugh’s 21-day navigation of the same course in 2006, the group finished their challenge in three days, 11 hours and 45 minutes – ending with a well-earned drink in one of Twickenham’s finest pubs.

The octet – Claire Mans, Sam Carson, Tim Endersby, Ben Watkiss, James Hilditch, Jo Crisp, Sarah Downes and Louise Hewlett – are the first team to continuously swim the route and have raised more than £15,000 with their efforts.

And it’s not too late to recognise their achievements with a donation yourself – just go to www.swimforheroes.co.uk.

Help for Heroes raises money to support members of the Armed Forces who have been wounded in the service of their country. The money raised is directly used to fund rehabilitation projects and support for other service charities.