Worthing Herald columnist to tackle English Channel swim

A well-known Herald columnist is set to undertake a gruelling cross-Channel swim.
Keen swimmer Phil Bristow from Worthing is set to tackle the English ChannelKeen swimmer Phil Bristow from Worthing is set to tackle the English Channel
Keen swimmer Phil Bristow from Worthing is set to tackle the English Channel

Insurance director Phil Bristow, 54, of Clifton Road, Worthing, is set to swim the Channel tomorrow, July 30, which starts at Dover Harbour - subject to tides and weather conditions.

He will be tackling the challenge for the second time, after he failed in his attempt two years ago due to foggy weather.

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The keen swimmer is raising money for the Rockinghorse charity - which helps children in Brighton’s Royal Alexandra Hospital.

Mr Bristow is no stranger to endurance events, having previously completed an Ironman challenge in 2012Mr Bristow is no stranger to endurance events, having previously completed an Ironman challenge in 2012
Mr Bristow is no stranger to endurance events, having previously completed an Ironman challenge in 2012

He said: “I am feeling nervous but at the same time looking forward to it - I like a challenge and I will certainly enjoy finishing!”

Problems with his hip in his 20s had stopped Mr Bristow from playing football, running and completing other sport activities.

He added: “This made me get into fitness at a later date and it is great to know I am still capable of doing it at my age!”

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Due to his previous hip problem, he was offered a replacement hip in 2005 - which he said was “life-changing”.

This enabled him to start running, play football and train for long endurance events.

In 2012, the insurance expert for Nsure in Worthing, completed an Ironman distance triathlon and raised £2,056 for charity.

He said this gave him the “fitness bug” and that’s when he decided to take on the English Channel challenge.

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Having already raised more than £1,000, Mr Bristow is hoping to boost this to £1,500 for the children’s hospital charity.

Challenge events fundraiser of Rockinghorse, Hannah Seltzer, said: “Our thanks to supporter Phil Bristow for taking on this incredible challenge in a bid to raise £1,500 for Rockinghorse – swimming across the English Channel is quite a feat!

“It’s thanks to supporters like Phil, that we are able to continue our work to make life better for sick babies, children and young people in Sussex.”

The average time for a cross-Channel swim is around 15 hours - but it’s subject to many variables, including the weather, tides and how busy the shipping lane is.

For more information about Phil’s swim and to follow his progress, visit www.hiphiphooray.org.uk.

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