Advocate to attempt Channel swim

A member of the Faculty of Advocates will attempt to swim the English Channel this summer to raise money for charity.

Depending on the tides, Craig Murray will take on the challenge later this month to support Dreams Come True, a national charity that gives children with life-limiting conditions the opportunity to fulfil their dreams. 

Mr Murray expects to take about 12 hours to complete the crossing, at about two miles an hour. The notional distance of 21 miles is increased by the effect of the tides.

The water temperature in the English Channel at this time of year is around 17 degrees. The traditional rules allow the swimmer to wear only trunks, a swim cap and a pair of goggles, and touching the accompanying boat results in disqualification. 

"It has been my ambition to swim the English Channel since I was a boy", Mr Murray explained. "In the pool where I learned to swim, there was a plaque commemorating the English Channel swim of a club member in 1979. It has taken me a very long time to get round to attempting it."

Recognising the scale of the challenge, he added: "Many more people have been to the summit of Everest than have swum across the English Channel. Hypothermia accounts for most of the failures."

Those wanting to donate to his charity can do so via his JustGiving page.

His swim can be tracked here.