Incredible 22-mile swimming challenge for sign language lessons completed

It was pitch black and 10pm when the Nene Channel Challenge came to an end. Greeted by jubilant friends, family and supporters, Julie Longland and Lisa Ryan emerged from the chilly river after a swim that had covered 22-miles in 16 hours.

The challenge is the equivalent of swimming the English Channel between Dover and Calais and took Julie and Lisa along the winding course of the Nene from Oundle in Northamptonshire to Peterborough's Ferry Meadow's Park and the iconic Milton Ferry Bridge. 

It was an incredible effort which left everyone who witnessed it humbled and in awe of the pure physical and psychological mettle of the courageous swimmers. The total raised so far, including gift aid, is £669 of a target of £2,000. The money raised will be used to teach sports and swimming instructors sign language to make swimming classes accessible to deaf children. If you haven't donated but would like to acknowledge their impressive feat and the noble cause it supports, you can donate here.

Lisa and Julie are both swimming instructors who currently help deliver the PDDCS Deaf-friendly swimming sessions and were presented with a certificate at the end of the swim by PDDCS Chairman, Andy Palmer.

Andy said: "It's hard to put into words just how incredible this challenge was. Lisa and Julie impressed us all with the pure dedication, physical and mental strength that they have. I'm still in wonder at what they achieved and grateful, on behalf of all the children who access our deaf-friendly swimming lessons, they chose to further support our cause."

See some pictures of the day below:

Adrian Fisher, parent of Jack who visits the deaf-friendly sessions, joins in for a mile or so

Julie and Lisa slice through the Nene's waters

The challenge started at 6:30am

There are some locks along the River, at each one, the swimmers had to climb out and start again with the occasional cookie break. 

Still smiling for the cameras

Jack Fisher watches his swimming teachers lead by example

Half-way and already further than either had ever swum before

One arm after the other .. for sixteen hours

The misty morning departure from Upper Barnwell near Oundle and the promise of an incredible day ahead

The swimmers emerge from the inky-black and chilly river to a rapturous welcome

Andy Palmer, PDDCS Chairman, presents Julie and Lisa with a certificate of appreciation

The certificates of appreciation

The donation page is still open. If you think this feat of extreme mental and physical challenge and the cause of providing accessible swimming lessons for deaf children deserves acknowledgement in the form of a donation, please click here.