TWO Okehampton ladies are taking part in a long distance charity swim for Aspire — despite the fact that both of them have only learnt to swim in the last few months.

Sarah Smith and Vicky Galley recently started swimming lessons at the town's Parklands Leisure Centre, and were quickly inspired to take on the challenge.

Sarah explained how conquering her biggest fear led to the charity swim: 'Until just a few months ago, Vicky and I couldn't really swim.

'I had a life-long phobia of water to the extent that I have never washed my face with water, as I hated the feel of water on my face and would go into panic mode.

'We decided to take on swimming lessons for adults at Parklands Leisure Centre. I was determined to get over my fear of water and that helped a lot.

'With us both having two small children, we wanted to set a good example to them.

'The staff down at Parklands have been truly terrific. Although, the first attempt to get me to jump in the deep end almost ended up with me in tears and bolting from poolside!

'Now we both absolutely love swimming.

'I personally can't believe I ever had a fear of water — the pool is our place to go to relax now.

'There's nothing like swimming to relax the mind and body. An hour spent concentrating on just your breathing wipes away everything else.'

Over their several months of swimming both Sarah and Vicky have grown to become good swimmers. As a result, their confidence in the water has led them to take part in the Aspire Channel Swim Challenge.

Swimmers taking part have to swim 22 miles, the equivalent of the English Channel, in their local pool between September 12 and December 4.

Swimmers can take as many sessions as they like in this period to complete the challenge.

With the Parklands pool measuring 25 metres, the duo will have to swim 1,416 lengths each to complete the challenge.

The ladies started with their first part of the swim on Monday evening, and are aiming to complete the challenge as soon as possible.

Aspire is a charity that helps people suffering from spinal cord injury.

Around 1,200 people in the UK are paralysed each year through spinal injuries, and Aspire aims to provide practical support to the 40,000 people in the UK living with a spinal cord injury.

Their work allows people with such injuries to lead independent lives in their homes, with their families and in the workplace.

Sarah said: 'Aspire is a worthy cause, raising money for people with spinal cord injuries.

'My father has recently had to have a leg amputated, not due to a spinal injury, but it certainly has brought home the issue of people having to re-adjust to serious physical impairment.'

The ladies are looking for sponsorship to raise as much money as possible for Aspire.