A group of six swimmers who, despite being relative strangers just seven months ago, teamed up to conquer the daunting challenge of swimming the Channel.

The challenge, known for being an extreme trial of stamina and determination, was taken on by the team, dubbed the Taplow Sea Bears,  to raise sponsorship for The Samaritans, a charity offering a safe place for those in emotional distress to turn.

The team's professional coach, Stephen Gould, hand-picked the swimmers for the challenge, their average age of 51 far above the typical channel relay average of 36.

Team members Katy, Bondy, Carine, Janet, Mike, and Claire trained intensely in local lakes and lidos, strengthening their strokes and acclimatising to the cold.

"It’s hard to know sometimes how much of a difference a call can make to someone," Katy, one of the team members and volunteer at Samaritans shared.

"But being able to give someone the time and space to be themselves, explore their thoughts and feelings with no judgement, and know that they matter can be the starting point to finding a way to get their life heading in a better direction."

On a tense Monday morning in July, after a false start due to bad weather, the team finally got the go-ahead.

The swim commenced late at 11.48am, a peculiar start time as channel swims typically start in the dark early hours.

Each member took turns covering an hour in their strict rotation.

The swim was not without its concerns - three members were stung by jellyfish during their turns but this only seemed to strengthen the team's spirit to continue.

Their journey took them through the Separation Zone, the tough stretch of water between English and French territories.

According to Bondy, the conditions to this point were akin to a boxing match, the waves continuously hitting the swimmers as they pushed through.

Despite darkness and the challenging tides, the resilient team persevered.

Janet and Mike especially felt the pressure, each having to swim twice in the dark.

Even at that crucial juncture, with only one in five relay teams making it, the Sea Bears refused to back down.

After a gruelling 18 hours and 52 minutes, Katy completed the final leg of the swim, landing at 6.40am on Tuesday, welcoming the dawn with triumph.

A supporter compared their experience to that of a Samaritans caller, posting on their Just Giving page: "I can’t possibly imagine what it’s like out there in the cold water in the dark.

"That’s possibly how people feel when they call The Samaritans.

"Samaritans are the support boat, the team encouraging from the side, or helping the swimmer out of the water."

If you wish to sponsor the team click here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/taplow-sea-bears-1713707903093