Bryanston pupils have raised nearly £5,000 for Level Water, a national children’s charity, with a challenging swim.

Ten pupils aged 14-18 completed the 6km crossing from Fort Gilkicker near Gosport to Ryde Sands on the Isle of Wight after many months of intensive open water training at various locations along the Dorset coast.

“This is a stunning achievement for every member of the team”, said Bryanston’s head of swimming, Richard Johnson. “The Solent presents a real test of endurance and a demanding challenge for even the most accomplished swimmers, as the swell, tidal currents and water traffic can be very disorientating.

“Although absolutely exhausted, all of our swimmers had beaming smiles as they climbed out of the water and there is no doubt the experience will last in their memory for many years to come.”

It took around two hours for all pupils to complete the swim, with 14-year-old Max Leigh completing the course in just 1 hour 8 minutes.

Blaise Lanphere, 17, the squad’s new captain, said: “Although the swim was a real test of stamina and it was quite unnerving to be swimming with so many yachts, hovercrafts, ferries and cargo ships around us, we all knew our efforts were for such a good cause. The charity is very close to our hearts as it uses the power and experience of swimming to improve lives for children with disabilities.”

Anyone wishing to support the fundraising by the Bryanston Swim Squad should visit justgiving.com/fundraising/brysolentswim2021