A TEAM of fundraisers are heading into the deep in a bid to support a number of charities close to their hearts.

The six open water swimmers, who have a combined age of 336 and are predominantly hobby swimmers, are taking on the English Channel sometime during June, depending on tides and weather conditions.

They have been training since September 2017 with the Beyond the Blue group, which swims regularly from Shore Road in Sandbanks, with coaching from fellow member Lisa North.

Julia Stone, who is the oldest of the group at 61, said: "The idea was sparked following a 4k fun swim from Shore Road to Durley Chine two years ago. The usual comments like "next stop Calais" were uttered. They hung in the air, but once spoken, of course couldn't be unsaid.

"It's been an intense two years, acclimatising to cold water as low as five degrees, learning to swim at steady speeds for long periods, overcoming sea sickness during boat training and the odd jellyfish sting. One of the team, Jennie Hedges, has only learned to swim front crawl recently. She is now swimming strong and steady alongside other members of the team."

Julia is raising money for Hope for Justice, a charity which works to end human trafficking, while Karen Peedell will swim in memory of her husband Dave, and for the Dorset Cancer Care Centre at Poole Hospital. Jennie Hodges and Falcom Hawkins are raising funds for specialist equipment for local boy James Read, who was born with a chromosome imbalance, and Maxine Bennett is swimming in aid of Level Water, which helps disabled children learn to swim.

Youngest team member Jason Croucher, 50, is raising money for the Isabel Baker Foundation, which supports parents with very sick children, or those who have been bereaved.

All team members have their own Just Giving accounts. Call Julia Stone on 07533 168368 to find out more, or do donate to any of the causes.