Local BBC radio teams across the South East are starting the final day of the Children in Need swimming competition.

Teams from Kent, Surrey and Sussex began swimming a total of 78 miles on Monday and plan to finish on Friday.

BBC Radio Surrey producer Sophia Atkins, who is also a swimming teacher, is covering two miles every day for the challenge.

He said: “I’m tired but I’m enjoying it. Children in Need helps some great charities in our area, so that’s why I’m doing this.”

BBC Radio Kent’s Adam Dowling is also participating in the competition despite not knowing how to swim.

He took his first swimming lesson in over 30 years in preparation for this challenge and was hoping to swim 25 meters without the aid of a buoy.

He said: “I have been training for weeks, getting advice from many great swimmers and overcoming my fear of putting my head in the water.

“Can I? Of course I can, I hope.”

“The team was so impressive, at first willingly diving right in, but (also) sticking with it this week,” executive producer Vicki Berry said.

BBC radio stations in the UK are hoping to collectively swim 1,000 miles.

The Thousand Mile Challenge is supported by former Team GB swimmers Rebecca Adlington and Mark Foster.

To learn more, go to: bbc.co.uk/swim.

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