A FATHER and son team from Cote successfully swam the English Channel together and raised £11,000 for charity.

James and Harry Salter faced tough conditions and were greeted by three foot waves when they reached Calais on Monday afternoon.

They persevered and completed the challenge, and have so far raised £11,000 for the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust, a charity that supports young people with depression.

The pair took turns to swim two hours each during the crossing which ended up being 27 miles long, six miles more than the shortest route, due to the rough conditions.

They had prepared for the event by spending weekends swimming in 12-degree water in Dover.

They chose the charity because it was relevant to 16-year-old Harry’s age group and because it was set up in memory of Charlie Waller, a former pupil at Harry’s school, Radley College in Abingdon, who took his own life in 1997, aged 28.

Mr Radley said: “The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust is a charity close to our hearts and we’re proud to support the great work they do.

“There is so much pressure on young people these days and mental health is a little talked about and taboo subject but it is so very important.”

The Trust, which was set up in memory of Charlie Waller, aims to equip young people to look after their mental wellbeing and ensure that expert and evidence-based help is available when people need it.

The charity provides training to schools, universities, primary health care professionals and employers, helping them to identify and support those with depression and to promote mental wellbeing.

You can still sponsor the Salters via justgiving.com/fundraising/Father-and-son-channel-swim