Workington swimmer swims English channel for Aspire charity

Laura Sharpe has been a keen swimmer for much of her life and competed for Workington Swimming Club as a girl. 

She has always dreamed of swimming the English Channel and conquered that formidable challenge on Wednesday, August 16 after a gruelling 60km swim. 

Laura was treated to some stunning views (Image: Supplied)

The 44-year-old showed great determination and unwavering commitment to achieve the crossing solo in 15 hours and 27 minutes. 

Laura said: "It went really well. It was quite tough for the first six hours as they were at night. The last two hours were quite challenging because swimming into France, the current gets quite strong. But I really enjoyed it."

Laura moved from swimming in a pool to starting her open-water journey at the first-ever Great North Swim in Windermere.

Since then, the proud Cumbrian has challenged herself to swim the length of several lakes including Coniston, Ullswater, and Windermere.

Laura celebrates arriving on the beach in France (Image: Supplied)

The swim was raising funds for the charity Aspire, which provides practical help to people paralysed by spinal cord injuries.

"They do a lot of open water swimming challenges. I volunteer with them to help other people get across the channel. Every year they go across in teams of six. I started my channel swimming journey with them and I had two people who volunteer for Aspire on my boat as my crew. They are very supportive of everyone's swimming, which is why I decided to fundraise for them."

Laura swam the first of several channel relays with them in 2018 and they have done so much to support her swimming ever since.

So far, she has raised an impressive £3,187, to smash her original target of £2500.

You can donate to Laura's JustGiving page here.