‘Slow’ swimmer prepares for Channel challenge to help children’s hospice

The 48-year-old, who confesses that he is a slow swimmer, is to swim from Dover to Calais in August to raise money for Martin House children’s hospice at Boston Spa, near Wetherby.

Mr Stocks, who works as an AA patrolman, had to raise several thousands pounds to take part, because he has to pay for a boat and crew which has to run alongside him for safety and guidance.

But he also hopes to raise more than £1,000 for the children’s hospice.

He said: “Martin House is a fantastic charity. I don’t know how people cope losing children. I have my healthy, beautiful six-year-old daughter Alexandra and I couldn’t imagine anything happening to her.”

He had gone along to the hospice open day after chatting to his daughter’s swimming instructor who was wearing a Martin House T-shirt which got him interested initially.

Mr Stocks, of Greenfields, Heckmondwike, has been long distance swimming since 1998, is a member of the British Long Distance Swimming Association, and is swimming the Channel to raise cash and as a personal challenge.

He has previously swum the equivalent of a Channel swim at Lake Windermere.

He said he had become accustomed to cold water but will still find swimming the Channel difficult in just trunks and goggles.

He said: “The only thing you can wear as part of the regulations are trunks. I think it goes back to when Captain Matthew Webb did it – he was the first one. You can wear as much channel grease as you want, which doesn’t keep you warm – it’s mainly to prevent chafing.”

He trains in Kirklees swimming pools and the council has given him free use of all its pools to get ready for his big swim.

His swim is set to take place between August 18 and 28. He expects to take between 15 and 20 hours, depending on the conditions and tides. To sponsor him, visit www.justgiving.com/alister-stocks

Martin House has a limited number of places available in the Great North Swim on June 18 and 19 and at Pugney’s Country Park, Wakefield, for the Jane Tomlinson Swim for All on Sunday July 10.

Further information on at www.martinhouse.org.uk