East Preston swimmer gives £15,000 at a stroke

Steve, better known as the Swimming Gardener, presented his cheque for £15,000 during an open day at the children’s hospice, at Poling.

Steve, 43, swam an epic 15 miles from Littlehampton pier to Worthing pier, and back, in August to end his fund-raising challenge, after having swum more than 600 miles in preparation for the event.

The father-of-two said: “It was a good feeling actually seeing where the money went and seeing the important work the hospice does.

“It was the first time I got to see everything they get involved in there and all they do. It’s money well spent.

“It’s easy to see that if you said you have paid £60,000 or £70,000 for a bathroom, most people would fall over. But there’s so much specialist equipment that’s needed to care for some of the children.”

Steve was shown around the hospice’s facilities by Chestnut Tree House’s chief executive, Hugh Lowson.

He said the inspiration behind his grueling fund-raising programme was his own two children.

“I would hate to be in the situation some parents find themselves in, mainly because my children – touch wood – are healthy.

“But that’s something I don’t take for granted. Not a day goes by that I don’t cherish this.”

Steve is now planning future charity swims, although none yet on the scale of his last one.