Sea Donkey is on his way to France

Usually the Channel crossing distance is 21 miles as the crow flies.

The feat will help to continue to raise funds for a Poolpod at Beau Sejour Leisure Centre for Guernsey Disability Swimmers.

After jumping in at Beaucette at 7.10am, Mr Sarchet swam eastwards until roughly 11.30am, when he began moving north-easterly as mapped on an online GPS tracker.

Experienced swimmers were on hand from a support boat, including Mandy Mackelworth who said: ‘Relays have taken place before, but Ady is the first person attempting it solo. Last year, he tried a relay with Jersey swimmer Matt Clarke but the weather wasn’t great.

‘This time we couldn’t do it with Matt due to self-isolation procedures. We’ve only got Ady in the water with Mark and I, who are both swimmers, on-board, as well as a coastguard.’

Conditions this time were described as favourable, if a little choppy. Finding the finish line will be approximated.

‘It doesn’t matter where he lands so long as it’s just north of Flamanville. To finish officially he will either clear the water by walking out and straight back in the boat, or by touching part of the mainland.’

Public Health granted special permission to touch down provided a risk assessment was undertaken.

‘If we come across anybody we must all self-isolate, and take contact numbers. However, it is highly unlikely as he will be getting straight back into the boat before we go straight home.’

High energy foods and energy drinks are being given to him from the boat periodically, with motivational messages read out during feeds.

. Visit https://bit.ly/3fJPHep or https://bit.ly/3ioXY9e to donate toward the Poolpods.

. To view his GPS track, https://bit.ly/2PI3lnQ