A CHARITY fundraiser is to tackle cold water and strong currents as she swims across the English Channel for Diabetes UK.

Vicky Wass, 42, of Bishop Auckland, in County Durham, is part of a six per son team which swimming the 22 miles.

Each swimmer will spend an hour swimming in the Channel before handing over to the next person with each challenger spending a total of four hours in the water.

The swim is in August, but the exact date has still to be decided upon as it is dependent on the tides.

Mrs Wass, of Ferguson Court, will leave Shakespeare Beach, in Dover, and she will swim across to Cap Gris Nez, in France.

She said: “I am extremely apprehensive about the swim. Other swimmers who have done it have suffered a lot of jellyfish stings.

“But I’ve always wanted to swim the Channel. We’re not allowed to wear wetsuits and so we’ll be wearing swimming costumes and it will be cold.”

The swim has a personal touch for Mrs Wass as her aunt, Audrey Oliver, had diabetes and so do some of her friends.

The Wear Valley Masters swimming club member has trained at Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre, Bishop Auckland.

She has been to the gym and she has also done a two-hour swim in Dover harbour as part of her preparations.

Mrs Wass has taken part in charity events for other good causes over the years, including one where she swam in Loch Ness, in Scotland.

Bishop Auckland Rotary Club has donated £200 to Mrs Wass and she has been involved in several other fundraising events.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Mrs Wass should visit justgiving.com/Victoria-Wass2/ or sites.google.com/site/rafflediabetesuk/