Will conquerors Sovereign swim to help good causes

Ice cream man Will Stevens emerged triumphant from the Channel last Friday after completing an 11 mile swim from the Sovereign Light House to raise money for charity.
Will Stevens completes swim SUS-160928-105135001Will Stevens completes swim SUS-160928-105135001
Will Stevens completes swim SUS-160928-105135001

Will - known as William the Cone-queror - is often seen pedalling his ice-cream bike along the promenade but took the plunge with the aim of raising £5,000 for the Seaview Centre and Fellowship of St Nicholas.

Will was taken out and supported on the swim by Hastings and St Leonards Sailing Club.

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He said: “We left the Royal Sovereign tower at 10.30am, jumping off the ladder on the side of the tower at slack water. The next solid thing I touched was St Leonards beach at 4.30pm, having swum a total distance of 11 miles, in 6 hours (over 700 lengths of a pool).

The support boat was helmed by Hugh Ashford, with navigational support from Dick Hogg, who also smeared me with a mixture of lanolin and vaseline shortly before I got in the water. Andy Francis provided on shore support. My girlfriend Chloe Dewe Mathews provided sustenance. I was swimming “channel rules” so did not physically touch the support boat, so she fed me jelly babies in a shrimping net, and orange squash from a bottle on a string. The final few miles were a huge struggle.

“Enormous gratitude to all those who turned out on the beach, made banners, swam, kayaked and sailed alongside for the final leg. Also to the volunteers who came down to the club to offer their time and support.

“I have now raised over £3,500 but the donation page is still open, if you would like to support visit www.mydonate.bt.com/events/royalsovereignswim/339210.”

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