Channel challenge for PC Will
Will Sergi with Mac Hobbs from Hobbs Recovery which is his main corporate sponsor.
A SUSSEX Police officer is counting down the weeks until he attempts to swim the English channel to raise money for three charities.
The idea for Will Sergi, 29, of Sussex Police, to take on the challenge came about while having a cup of tea with friend Angus Wingfield.
Now one year on Will is upping his training regime to complete the swim between September 20 to 27, to raise money for YMCA Inner Journey Project, Macmillan Cancer Support and Demelza Hospice.
It is not the first time Will has prepared himself to do something out of the ordinary.
Will said, "I have done different things for charity over the years and the challenges have gone up and up and up. I have never been a swimmer so that is why it is a big challenge."
Will, who has worked for Sussex Police for more than 10 years, started his training in December 2007 by acclimatising to the sea, which did not involve any swimming.
Since then, Will has been training in the sea at Dover since April and occasionally trains with Eastbourne Masters.
In all, the determined officer said he is training at least four times a week in the sea.
He has also swum in the icy waters of the River Cuckmere with temperatures of about six deg C.
At the beginning of August, Will took on his greatest swimming challenge yet – swimming the length of Lake Windermere from south to north.
The lake swim, which was about 13 miles, took Will 10 hours and 33 minutes.
The 29-year-old has said he hopes to complete the Channel swim in about 18 to 19 hours.
Will said, "I can't believe how quickly it has come around. I'm getting nervous, it is constantly on my mind.
"The two things I am not keen on are night swimming in the pitch black and the depth – the channel is just a monster depth."
Hobbs Recovery and HRS Vehicle Rentals is Will's main corporate sponsor and the company's team has been very supportive.
To sponsor Will visit www.willschannelswim.com