The River Blackwater could be swum for the first time by two brothers raising money for charity.

Alex and Stafford Williams have pledged to raise "as much as possible" for the Maldon Buddies Children's Centre and Cancer Research UK, by swimming from the end of the Maldon Promenade extension to Bradwell.

"As far as I am aware we are the first people to attempt this and we are a little apprehensive. The only problem we will have is the weather, we have to hope for a fairly decent day," said Alex.

The brothers have been training since February by swimming lengths.

Alex, who works at Green's Flour Mills, tries to swim a mile in his lunch hour and Stafford, who works for Servowatch Systems, trains with his 11-year-old daughter, Ella and competitive swimming club, the Witham Dolphins.

Blackwater Leisure Centre stepped in to help the duo and has given them free access to its pool until they take the challenge.

Following a two-mile practice swim in the river earlier this month the brothers are confident they can complete the 10 miles in four hours.

Alex, 38, of Longfellow Road, Maldon, said: "We've had to make a few changes to our technique because of waves.

"The water is not as cold as you would think but the water quality isn't very nice.

"I've been told it cleans itself further up river and so hopefully it'll be at least a little bit better."

Alex had initially planned to raise money for the Buddies' Centre as his five-year-old daughter Katie, who has Downs' Syndrome, spent time at the centre before starting main stream school.

After a very close friend of his died from cancer, Alex decided he knew so many people affected by the illness he wanted to raise money for Cancer Research too.

Posters have been going up across mid-Essex advertising the event and when Stafford, 41, of Steeple Close, Heybridge, put out sponsorship forms, they "disappeared immediately"

They plan to swim the River Blackwater on August 31 and will be accompanied by both rescue boats and a boat full of family and friends

Published Friday August 20, 2004

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