SWIMMERS from across the borough rallied together this week to help swim the length of the English Channel at a Hendon swimming pool.

In total 36 people aged between eight and 56 helped complete the staggering 1,416 lengths needed to replicate the 22-mile swim in just 11 hours 36 minutes at Copthall Leisure Centre on Wednesday.

Youngsters from local schools, including Goodwyn School in Mill Hill, council staff and swimming club members all helped achieve the feat, raising cash for Aspire UK, a spinal care charity.

Christine McCormick, PE at the school, said: “We are delighted to take part in this event which is for a worthy cause.

“We take swimming very seriously at school realising just how an important life skill it is.”

Kevin Murphy, who has swum the Channel a total of 34 times, more than any other male, was also there to lend his support to the swimmers, who took part in the relay style event.

He said: “What I would like to see is for events like this to inspire children and adults to one day swim the channel. From what I have seen today it may very well do so.”

The centre is hoping to raise £500 for the charity and has set up an online donation site at www.justgiving.com/barnetcopthall.