WHEN two swimmers braved the chilly River Thames to raise money for a nursing home, neither expected the afternoon to end in drama.

Experienced open-water swimmer Guy Woodhouse, 60, was left fighting for his life after he developed hypothermia during the 5.2km swim in 14C water with his friend, Peter Casey.

Mr Woodhouse, an electronics engineer from Childrey, near Wantage, fell unconscious at Shifford Lock, near Standlake, and had to be airlifted to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital.

He said: "When we started, Peter and I were both quite shocked at how cold the water was. The first half of the swim was fine, but I became very cold and I do not remember swimming past the 2.5km point.

"I was semi-conscious and remember struggling to see Peter. I think my brain just shut down and my body kept on swimming.

"My wife said she was shouting at me to swim away from the weir, which was quite dangerous, but she could not get me to respond. I was quite confused and felt like I was dreaming.

"Peter was marvellous and managed to push me into the canoe without it capsizing and the lock keeper at Shifford Lock called the paramedics."

Mr Casey, of Wantage's Peter Casey Jewellers, swam on, completing the 5.2km course in one hour and 20 minutes, but said he had mixed feelings once he had finished.

"Obviously I was pleased I had completed it, but concerned because Guy looked very unwell.

"I did not really feel the cold, but for some reason Guy did and it just did not agree with him that day."

Despite the drama, the pair raised more than £1,000 for the Wantage Nursing Home Charitable Trust.

The pair had already postponed the trip twice, due to pollution in the river and flooding.

Mr Woodhouse said he now planned to steer clear of open-water swimming.

He said: "My first emotion when I woke up was foolishness because a charity swim ended up needing the emergency services and a spell in hospital.

"I am very grateful to still be alive and for everyone who helped me.

"I cannot risk calling out the emergency services for a second time so I do not plan on swimming in the river again."

But Mr Casey said he was already planning a 10km swim in the Thames next summer.