A YORK soldier and his colleagues are set to endure jellyfish stings and chilling waters to cross the English Channel in aid of injured servicemen and women.

In a fundraising challenge organised by Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Sawyer, troops from the Army Foundation College, in Harrogate, hope to raise tens of thousands of pounds for the Army Benevolent Fund as well as the Special Care Baby Unit at Harrogate District Hospital.

Three of the group hope to become the first Army swimmers to complete an individual Channel crossing since Captain Matthew Webb in 1875.

A separate six-strong team will swim the minimum 35,200-metre distance (21 miles) for two hours at a time as part of a relay.

Lee, from York, is one of the soldiers doing the solo attempt at the Channel.

An accomplished athlete, Lee, who used to attend Archbishop of Holgate CE School, Burnholme Secondary school and York College, played basketball for York and used to swim for the city.

The 34-year-old said: “The whole reason for swimming the Channel is to support two charities that we’ve chosen as a team – ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, which is clearly close to our hearts being serving personnel, and the Special Care Baby Unit at Harrogate District Hospital.

“We’re trying to raise in excess of £30,000 to be split between them both.

“When my own daughter was born at Harrogate District Hospital I thought what better way to show them my appreciation than to do something extraordinary to support the good work that they do.”

As part of their preparations ahead of the gruelling endurance challenge in September, the team completed five one mile swims in the North Sea at Withernsea, Bridlington, Filey, Scarborough and Whitby on Wednesday as part of their progression from swimming in inland lakes to coastal waters.

Lee said: “This is the first time we’ve got the team in the sea together to get some valuable training in chilly water.

“We need to get in the sea at least two or three times a week. Swimming in salt water with the chop and the movement of the water is entirely different – with jellyfish stings and all of the other creatures you need to contend with.”

A keen swimmer all his life, Lee said: “We actually as children used to swim in the River Ouse. Now, years later, it doesn’t seem as much fun.”

The team have been preparing for the cross-Channel attempt since last November and have practiced swimming in the lake at Ripon Racecourse and the nearby River Nidd before their practice swim in the North Sea last week.

For more details about the Channel challenge visit afcchannelswim.com