National spinal injury charity Aspire is today (Monday, September 12th) launching the Aspire Channel Swim 2016 – a fundraising challenge to raise money to improve the lives of people paralysed by spinal cord injuries.

The Aspire Channel Swim challenges people of all ages to swim the length of the English Channel over a 12-week period starting from September 12th, and finishing on December 5th 2016. It’s free to enter and people can take part as an individual or as part of a team, and can complete the 22-mile challenge at their local swimming pool, at their own pace.

Swimmers record their progress on an online challenge page which keeps track of where they are on their channel crossing. This page can be shared with friends, family and colleagues, encouraging them to offer support and donations.

In August, Tessa McLean, a resident of Phocle Green, near Ross-on-Wye, swam the English Channel for Aspire, as part of a team. She told the Ross Gazette that she was delighted with the time they achieved and the team had outperformed their own expectations.

Tessa has also raised a great deal of money for Aspire on her own; she has pulled in more than £950 for the charity.

Anyone who decides to take part in the Aspire Channel Swim will be added to the charity’s online leader board, where they will go head to head with other fundraisers across the country. The leader board lets swimmers see if there are others taking part in the challenge at their local leisure centre too.

Katy Boyd, Aspire Events Manager said: ‘We are looking for people to take the plunge this September and take on the Aspire Channel Swim challenge to help us raise money to fund our work supporting people with spinal cord injuries.

‘So if you’re looking for a new way to get fit and lose some weight, you’ve been inspired by Team GB to take up swimming or you just want to do something for a good cause, then why not join thousands of people who are already taking part in the Aspire Channel Swim challenge this year. Every penny you raise will help change lives.’

It is estimated that someone is paralysed by a spinal cord injury every eight hours. It can happen to anyone at any time and no-one is prepared for how it will change their life. Aspire provides practical help and assistance to thousands of people living with a spinal cord injury in the UK, so they can lead fulfilled and independent lives in their homes, with their families.

Aspire offers essential advice, accessible housing and grants to buy equipment such as lightweight wheelchairs and Assistive Technology to enable people to use computers regardless of their level of injury.

The charity is aiming to raise more than half a million pounds through this year’s Aspire Channel Swim fundraiser, which could fund more than 150 lightweight wheelchairs and convert more than 20 flats into accessible accommodation for people with spinal cord injuries.

To register for the Aspire Channel Swim 2016 or for more information, please visit www.aspirechannelswim.co.uk