A FLOTILLA of dinghies were sailed across the English Channel to raise money for research into brain tumours.


Six sailors from Brightlingsea Sailing Club overcame huge waves and dodged giant ships to sail from Sandgate near Folkestone to Sangatte in France.


The challenge took four hours and has so far raised £4,000 for Brain Tumour Charity.


The cross-channel voyage was dubbed Laseraid as the six adventurers all sailed in Laser dinghies which are just four metres long and weigh only 130 lbs.


The idea came from Dr Michael Hare whose wife, Ali, successfully underwent surgery and chemo and radiotherapy for a brain tumour.


Dr Hare and his son, Adam, who is just 17, were two of the team taking part in the challenge.


All those sailing had a friend or relative who has suffered a cerebral condition including the eldest sailor Nigel Edmunds, 67, whose son Gavin, 36, recovered from a brain tumour two years ago.

For more on this story, see tomorrow's Gazette.