A WOMAN is attempting to swim to a festival across a major shipping lane to raise money for charity.

Sophie Goodall, of Portslade, will brave the Solent as part of the Swim2Bestival challenge next month.

It will see a group of 25 people each swim a stretch of the 20 mile waters on Thursday, September 8 in time for the start of the music festival on the Isle of Wight.

Sophie will take on the 1.3 mile distance from Hurst Castle in Hampshire, to Colwell Bay on the Isle of Wight to fundraise for WaterAid.

The 43-year-old, who works at the Environment Agency, is already a volunteer and speaker for the charity and a member of the Brighton and Hove WaterAid group.

She said: "I've always loved swimming and am a fitness enthusiast, however this challenge is on a whole new level for me. It’s not just the distance for the swim which will be testing but also the big waves, strong currents, not to mention the swim route crosses a major shipping lane.

"When I visited communities in Uganda with WaterAid in November 2014 I saw first-hand the daily struggles many families with no access to safe water and sanitation face. It’s shocking that 4,000 children die every day worldwide from drinking dirty water. It really struck me the huge difference WaterAid makes transforming millions of people’s lives through enabling them to have clean water, a decent place to go to the toilet, and hygiene education.

"I'm taking on this epic swim to help people in some of the world's poorest countries access safe drinking water, improved sanitation and hygiene education. Some of the money I raise will go to Ocean Youth Trust South to help disadvantaged young people use sailing as a personal development opportunity."

The challenge will be streamed live on television.

Sophie has raised more than £400 so far of her £1,000 target. Just £15 donated to WaterAid will provide a child with clean water for the rest of their lives. Sponsor her at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SophieGoodall.

  • Sophie has written about the charity's work in a blog. She is also welcoming new members to the Brighton and Hove WaterAid group which was set up in 2008. It is hosting live music on Saturday, November 26, at the Unitarian Church in New Road, Brighton, to raise money for the charity and anyone can attend. For information email sophie_goodall@yahoo.co.uk or visit sophiewateraid.blogspot.co.uk.