Diabetic swims Channel '“ in town

DIABETIC Simon Smith has swum the English Channel without leaving Bognor Regis.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Aug 2012, 14:00 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 19:42 BST

Simon reached his goal of 1,400 lengths of the Arena Sports Centre’s swimming pool to equal the 22-mile crossing of the famous waterway.

It took him just under three months to complete his goal in aid of Diabetes UK.

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“One of the reasons I’m doing this is that I was given a lot of help by the charity when I was diagnosed with type two diabetes last January just after my 40th birthday.

“It was a massive blow. I wanted to give something back to them and I also wanted to keep my fitness levels up,” said Picturedrome worker and Essex Road resident Simon.

“It has been pretty tough at times. I wanted to show it can be done by someone with diabetes.”

The diabetes has damaged his kidneys and the nerves in his feet.

He hopes to raise at least £200 from his swim. Donations to www.diabeteschallenge.org.uk