Heroic doctor begins his Channel swim

Dr James Walker learned to swim with the club and now works as an A&E doctor in Manly, Australia.

After a gruelling training schedule, he flew over to England earlier this month for his greatest challenge yet.

James began his Channel swim before dawn on Wednesday and was within a mile of the coast by about 5pm. He hopes to raise thousands of pounds for research into an auto-immune disease called Lupus, which affects Beth.

Last year, the illness threatened her life when the lining of her heart became inflamed.

Beth’s heart rate went up to 172 beats per minute and she needed emergency hospital care and a cocktail of 16 tablets.

Although Beth’s condition has stabilised, she has been experiencing eye-sight problems.

It is not clear if her symptoms are side-effects from the strong drugs she needs or are due to Lupus.

Beth lives with husband Ben and children, Lily, Freddie and Belle in Harlands Road, Haywards Heath and she knows just how remarkable James’ Channel swim will be, if he completes it successfully.

James never made it into the top, competitive swimming squad at club level.

Beth said: “James is amazing and really likes challenges. He has been an Iron Man but swimming was never his strongest sport.”

Before setting off on his endurance swim, James said: “My aim is to raise some money in the hope that I can contribute just a little to making the lives of people like my sister, Beth, a bit easier.”

If you would like to sponsor James you can do so via: james walker