Boy, 13, to swim English Channel with friends

A 13-year-old boy is preparing to swim the English Channel as part of a charity relay with other students from his school.

Will, from Cheddleton in Staffordshire, said his training had been going "really well" and he was excited about taking part.

Over the past year, he has done cold water plunges, land training, early morning and late night swims as part of his preparation.

"I've seen big changes this year with Will," his mum Tina said. "He set his mind to do this and he's done it and it's just been an incredible journey."

It had taken the teenager, who attends Beech Hall School in Macclesfield, 38 minutes to swim a kilometre (0.6 miles) when he first began training, a time he has since more than halved.

"The key for our team is they're not elite swimmers," head teacher James Allen said.

"Will's first kilometre was incredibly slow, but he's taken 21 minutes off that [overall] time this year – he can swim a kilometre in 17 minutes now."

The team is hoping to do their swim this weekend, but it is dependent on weather and tidal conditions.

Will said he was unsure if he would make it on to the team at his first attempt, but had found his head teacher and the other students had helped him find his confidence and would cheer him on during training.

"It's been a team effort, that's the most important thing," the teenager said. "You've got to rely on each other and help each other."

To ensure he is fully prepared for the swim, he has had to successfully complete timed trials as well as ice swims and follow a programme of pool-based and land-based exercise.

Beech Hall has been organising the Channel swims every year since 2021 and has so far raised more than £150,000 for Mencap. It hopes to raise an additional £30,000 this year.

Allen added he had seen the benefits in the classroom over the years from those who had taken part.

"In terms of developing elements of resilience and confidence, trying new things, it really has a positive impact on learning in the classroom as well. That's what's so magical about it," he said.

"They're a very, very incredible bunch of kids and we're really proud of them."

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