BBC staff set for Children in Need swim attempt

BBC staff are attempting to swim part of a 1,000-mile swimming challenge for Children in Need.

A five-person team from each BBC local radio station will take part between 4 and 8 November.

BBC Radio Cornwall's Julie Skentelbery will be joined by David Dixon, Hannah Stacey, Daphne Skinnard, Francesca Carpenter, and Lou Symons.

They will be tasked with swimming 24 miles in total.

Children in Need is the BBC charity that help to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people around the UK.

Local swimming coach Julia Raines has been helping the Cornwall team prepare for the attempt and said being "relaxed and safe" were important goals.

“Enjoyment, for me, is a huge part of it. It’s a lifestyle, it’s so much more than just swimming [and] not just about swimming fast.

"It’s always good to aim to be the best that you can be for your own goals, [which] can include just it being your happy place and being relaxed and safe."

The BBC's Skentelbery said some of the training had been "a revelation".

"Using my arms and legs gets me there, but in a very slow pace and I do see everyone else in the pool taking it very seriously ducking their heads under water.

"However, to actually be told what I'm doing is just a revelation."

Executive producer Skinnard will attempt 64 lengths a day for five days.

“I haven’t swum like this for a long time so it’s wonderful to be back in the water, I’m really trying hard."

Children in Need has raised more than £1bn since its first major appeal in 1980 and its televised appeal will take place on 15 November on BBC One.

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