Sophie Wright raised £6,385 for the The Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign by swimming the Channel.
Strong tides were no match for student Sophie Wright as she power swam the English Channel for The Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign.
On Sunday 27 July 2008, Sophie, an archaeology student at Southampton University, completed the gruelling 21.6-mile challenge in an impressive 17 hours and 35 minutes.
But every aching muscle was worth it as she raised a massive £6,385 for the Cancer Campaign, with donations are still trickling in.
Sophie, 21, raised the money in memory of her beloved uncle James Palmer, who was treated at The Royal Marsden Hospital.
She said: “It is in his memory that I did the swim. His strength of spirit, determination, kindness and character remain my biggest inspiration in everything that challenges me throughout life.”
Sophie is a keen swimmer but this was her biggest feat yet. Swimming the English Channel is often deemed the Everest of swimming challenges.
The water was no warmer than 16°C and she wore nothing but a swimming costume, hat and goggles.
Supported throughout her swim by cheering crew members on a nearby boat, Sophie set of at 5.40am. After 11 hours, she almost had to stop because of strong tides pulling against her, but her determination won and she eventually finished at 10.15pm in the pitch dark.
Sophie said: “It was utterly exhausting but I was determined to finish. After all my training there was no way I wasn’t going to swim the full distance.
“I’m delighted with the amount of money that has been raised for The Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign.”
Amanda Heaton, Fundraising and Community Fundraising Manager for the Cancer Campaign, said swimming the Channel was a truly wonderful achievement for Sophie.
She added: “It is astonishing the lengths our supporters go to in order to raise money for the Cancer Campaign.
“Sophie must have been exhausted by the end of her swim. She has raised a fantastic amount of money and should be extremely proud of her achievement, especially as she is only 21 years old.
“Our many thanks go to Sophie, her team of supporters and all those who sponsored her challenge.”