Sheffield dentist swimming the channel to raise money for dental charity

Jim Lafferty’s solo swim is due to take place between September 9-15 depending on weather conditions. He is hoping to complete the crossing between Dover and Calais in around 12 hours and raise £5,000 for Dentaid along the way.

Jim, who lives in Nether Edge and works at Orgreave Dental Surgery, will be swimming alongside High Hopes, a boat containing his support team, a pilot and an observer from the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation who will help him to overcome the chilly sea temperatures, strong currents, risk of hypothermia and exhaustion. Although the shortest distance between England and France is 21 miles, drifting currents mean that Jim will probably swim at least 25 miles and will need his team to keep him on course.

“They will be looking after me by keeping me fed and hydrated and navigating,” he said. “Also, they’ll keep me going when I feel like giving up. When you’re swimming for that length of time it’s a balance between saving your energy and maintaining your swimming technique. It can actually get quite boring but it’s important to keep focus.

“I’m excited and nervous at the same time. It’s often said that more people have climbed Mount Everest than have swam the English Channel – it’s only been done solo by 2,125 people so far – so it will be quite an achievement.”

The rules state that Channel swimmers can only wear swimwear, googles and a hat in the tradition set by Matthew Webb, the first person to complete the crossing in 1875. Therefore, Jim won’t be allowed to wear a wetsuit as protection against the 18-degree sea temperatures and jellyfish. New rules state that provided he doesn’t get within two metres of anyone on the French coast and comes straight back, he won’t have to quarantine on his return.

All the money raised by Jim’s epic swim will help Dentaid restart its work providing emergency dental services for homeless and vulnerable people across the UK who often struggle to access dental care.

Track the swim at http://cspf.co.uk/swim-routes and select the boat High Hopes.

To sponsor Jim’s Channel swim visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JimLafferty2

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