A WINCHESTER writer has completed a dangerous 2.5-mile solo cross-Solent swim from the Isle of Wight.
Mark Ryan, 61, took on the challenge to raise money for Winnall Rock School, a music charity offering the chance to write and create music for free to kids aged 10 to 17.
After finishing the swim from Gurnard Beach to the Watch House at Lepe, where he met his partner Kate two years ago, Mark is keen to get over the £1,000 mark, with a current total of £950.
The National Coast Watch at Stone Point, Lepe Beach, who watched the swimmer on their cameras the whole way, said they don’t know of anyone who has swam the same route before - so Mark is claiming his time of one hour and 15 minutes as a record.
The Winchester writer was delighted to be met by his son Luca, his partner Kate and her sisters and Winnall Rock School’s Peter Brown at the finish line.
READ MORE: Winnall Rock School: Providing a home for kids through music
Mr Ryan said: “I was swept a bit west by the current, but it could have been worse. I'd been prepared for four hours in the water.
“The main difficulties were psychologically before. I was told I could be swept as much as one mile west and all of these other scenarios which didn’t actually end up happening. I was preparing for the worst mental test.
“The sea felt so cold at the start because my nervous system was shot from all the nerves and having not slept. I couldn’t breathe.
“But once I settled into the swim it felt fantastic. They waved me in from the safety boat whenever I started drifting and I landed in the right spot. I feel all my 61 years on land but I feel about 20 in the water.
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“When Peter came down with the rock school banner it felt really good because that was what it was always about. I had my successful day but he has a successful day every day helping those kids.
“All teenagers these days have been through Covid and isolation and so many challenges. My partner’s teenager goes to the rock school and I’ve seen the good it can do. They need a creative outlet and the charity helps show them that they can do anything.”
Winnall Rock School’s project coordinator, Peter Brown, said: “Charity funding is really stretched at the moment and many grassroots music groups like ours are under threat.
“Therefore, we are so grateful to fundraisers like Mark. His efforts will fund around 10 of our successful free band workshops for young people without having to devise the new projects, services and outcomes, that funders now so often require.”
To donate go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mark-ryan-4.
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