Grandparents inspire swimmer to take on the Straits of Gibraltar

Undeterred by strong currents and high waves, Thomas covered a distance of just over 15 miles (25k) in five-and-a-half hours, spurred on by thoughts of his grandparents who have been diagnosed with dementia.

This is one of the toughest swimming challenges around and due to the unpredictable hazards of the Straits, fewer than 300 people have succeeded in reaching the other side. The shortest distance across is nine miles but weather conditions prevented Thomas taking the most direct route.

He swam from the Spanish town of Tarifa and finished on a rocky outcrop in Benzu, on the north eastern point of Morocco.

"I was exhausted by the end of it but it was an amazing experience," says Thomas. "Because of the choppy conditions I had to swim really hard during the first few miles otherwise I would have drifted. The crew in the safety boat alongside threw me a nourishing drink once an hour, but I was only allowed to stop for 10 seconds to avoid getting

into difficulties. My parents were on board shouting words of encouragement and they were lucky to get a far better view of the dolphins than I did.

"Swimming has always been a great passion for me and I'm so pleased that I've been able to use it positively to raise money for vital dementia research. It's something my family are very concerned about as my grandad died with dementia some years ago and my two grandmas have also lived with the dreadful condition for a number

of years.

"I've been shocked to learn that dementia research is hugely underfunded and I'm determined to help the Alzheimer's Research Trust make a difference."

Thomas's grandfather, Philip Sheard, lived in York and was diagnosed with multi-infarct dementia, a condition caused by a series of small strokes in the brain. He lived with this condition for six years and died in 1997, at the age of 88.

His wife Peggy Sheard, 88, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, in 2004. When she started wandering out of her house and getting lost, it was necessary for her to move to a care home in York.

And Thomas's other grandmother, Betty Patchett, 86, was diagnosed with dementia in 2009. Her memory is very poor and she hears voices and becomes frightened. She receives 24-hour-care at home in her flat in Ilkley. Thomas graduated from King's College London last year, and will be starting a career in investment banking in Newcastle later this summer. Training for the gruelling event including swimming for five hours a day at his local pool.

Miranda Mays, community fundraising manager for the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said: "This is an incredible achievement and we can't thank Thomas enough for his determination to help us beat dementia. The money raised will pay for over 10 weeks of world-class research, helping to bring new preventions, treatments and an eventual cure ever nearer.

"We are currently funding 120 promising projects across the country, including over 400,000 in Yorkshire at the Universities of York, Leeds, Hull and Sheffield.

"Nearly 11,000 people in York and North Yorkshire live with the daily reality of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. More investment into research is desperately needed and the Alzheimer's Research Trust relies entirely on its wonderful supporters like Thomas."

Anyone wishing to add to Thomas's fundraising efforts can still do so by telephoning Sharon Manison at the Alzheimer's Research Trust on 01223 843899 or online at http://www.justgiving.com/

Thomas-Patchett.

There are 820,000 people living with dementia in the UK today, with numbers forecast to increase substantially in the next generation. The Alzheimer's Research Trust provides free information on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias – visit www.alzheimers-research.org.uk.

The charity relies solely on public donations to fund its research.

HAZARDS OF THE STRAITS

Currents and tides: Strong currents can interfere with the progress and direction of the trip. This has caused many swimmers to abandon the crossing.

Sickness, vomiting and cramps: The causes of these symptoms include the exhaust fumes from the boats; swallowing sea-water; polluted waters; jellyfish; tiredness and the cold.

Hypothermia: The temperature of the water may vary from between 15C in winter to 22C in summer, (swimming pools are usually in the range of 28 to 32C). Thomas had to use grease to reduce this risk.

Wind: The wind is the most crucial factor. Many swimmers have had to abandon the crossing after waiting for days for suitable conditions.

The traffic of vessels: The Straits of Gibraltar is one of the busiest maritime zones of the world, with up to 300 vessels sailing through daily, not counting the ferries which cross between the harbours on both coasts of the Straits.