Rural Splash YMCA members Jo Isles and Sam Shelliker have just swam the channel for charity without even leaving the Fylde Coast!

They signed up to the Aspire Channel Swim in September to raise money for the charity which provides support to people with spinal cord injuries.

Over just the past two years both ladies have had acquaintances who due to accidents have been left with spinal cord injuries. This is what prompted them to take up the mammoth challenge after seeing it on the notice board at the pool.

The Aspire Channel Swim challenge set out that participants must swim the 22 miles, equivalent of 1548 lengths in under 12 weeks. The determined pair completed it on Monday bringing them in under just 10 weeks!

Jo said: “The team at Kirkham pool have been excellent. They have accommodated us by putting lanes in so we could fulfil our challenge without having to swim extra distances going around other swimmers and we also found we swam a lot better when the music for the Monday evening Aqua Class started!”

Aspire support those with spinal cord injuries and provide access to education and employment opportunities, suitable accommodation and help with accessing grants for light weight wheelchairs.

Sam added: “We are really proud of ourselves and we’ve managed to raise £375 cash in the process for the charity so far. Roll on 2012!”

Donations are still being accepted through www.justgiving.com search “jo and sam go swimming”.

For more information about the pool or new Y:Active Fitness Studio inside Rural Splash YMCA please visit www.ymcayactive.org or contact the team on 01772 682989.