PEOPLE in East Hampshire are being encouraged to swim the length of the English Channel in a bid to raise vital funds for a national charity.

Alton Sports Centre, Mill Chase Leisure Centre at Bordon and Taro Leisure Centre at Petersfield, which are operated by Everyone Active in partnership with East Hampshire District Council, are encouraging people to support spinal cord injury charity Aspire by signing up to its Channel Swim Challenge.

The event begins on Monday (September 10) when participants will have 12 weeks (December 3) to swim 22 miles, the distance of the English Channel. All money raised will support Aspire to continue helping those with spinal cord injuries to live independent and fulfilled lives.

Every eight hours someone in the UK is paralysed by a spinal cord injury. Aspire provides a wide range of assistance to those effected, including much-needed housing support, grants to buy vital equipment, and advisers who offer practical support to patients on spinal cord units.

Last year, more than 6,500 Aspire Channel swimmers raised £625,000.

Kathryn Boyd, event manager for the Aspire Channel swim, said: “Aspire Channel swimmers truly are amazing. Fewer people have swum the Channel than conquered Everest, yet every year thousands of people take on 22 miles over 12 weeks in pools across the country. It’s an incredible achievement and one that helps support hundreds of spinal cord injured people every year.”

Jacqui Tillman, head of swimming at Everyone Active, added: “The work that the team at Aspire carry out is fantastic and we are delighted to be supporting them. The Channel Swim Challenge is a fantastic way for people to raise money for a great cause while also improving their own health and wellbeing by getting active. I would encourage as many people as possible to get involved.”

To sign up, visiteveryoneactive.com/aspireswim or aspirechannelswim.co.uk.