Channel swim for ex-Shropshire cricketer Adam Shantry
Former Shropshire cricketer Adam Shantry was taking the plunge today as he attempts to swim the English Channel with two friends.
The ex-Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Glamorgan bowler was braving the chilly waters of the Channel as he attempts to raise £10,000 for two charities close to his heart.
The money will be split between The Professional Cricketers' Association Benevolent Fund and the Tom Maynard Trust, set up to help disadvantaged young sportsmen and women in memory of the cricketer who died last year.
Adam, who grew up in Shrewsbury and played with Maynard at Glamorgan, had his professional career cut short due to injury in 2011 following two knee operations.
He is now a cricket coach and, although he still lives in south Wales, he does help out with coaching at Shrewsbury School.
His injuries meant he could not take part in any running or cycling charity events – resulting in him deciding to take on one of the world's toughest swimming challenges.
He will be joined by friends Tom Mees and Emma Lawson, with the group due to set off from Dover harbour this afternoon if weather conditions allow.
They were set to swim about 21 miles from England to France in a relay format, with each one swimming an hour at a time before being able to rest on a support boat that will follow them.
The trio estimate the effort will take them around 18 hours, with much of it having to be done in the dark as they dodge tankers, ferries, driftwood and jellyfish.
Adam said: "It is not easy, but I am sure we will get there. It is going to be a tough challenge.
"The success rate of a solo swim is less than 10 per cent and people die every year if they try it. So we are doing it as a three.
"I probably won't be mistaken for a halibut, but I'm reasonably confident I won't drown. I'm actually not much good at swimming. I've been swimming off Barry Island, near where I live, a couple of times a week for the last few months and wondering what I've got myself in to.
"The record for the fastest swim – which is just over seven hours – is not in jeopardy, put it like that."
For more information or to sponsor the group, visit www.justgiving.com/swimmingthechannelfortom