A recreational swimmer who clocked up 400 lengths to raise funds for a community lido is returning to the pool and this year he will go even further.

Nathan Phelps, chef-proprietor of Whistlers restaurant in Chipping Norton, swam 10k (6.2 miles) without stopping while other swimmers young and old also swam lengths alongside him, raising a collective £2,000 last summer.

But this year, he will go even further - swimming alongside marathon debutante Kirsty Garrett for as long as it takes her to complete her first marathon.

Together, they are raising money for both the Lewy Body Society, and the Lido. 

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The Lewy Body Society aim to raise awareness, and fund research, into Lewy Body Dementia, a fast-acting and little understood form of dementia.

Chef and recreational swimmer Nathan Phelps swam 10K for the lido last summer (Image: Ed Nix)

The cause is close to both of their hearts, as Mr Phelps' father passed away from Parkinson’s disease a few years ago, and Ms Garrett's mum passed away from Lewy Body Dementia earlier this year.

Ms Garrett said: "I am going to attempt my first marathon swim, in memory of my mother, Christine Williams, who passed away in April.

"My mum absolutely loved the water, and I inherited this from her.

"When I first went to the pool after she passed away, I learned a valuable life lesson - that tears and swimming goggles are not a good combination.

"Hopefully I will remember this lesson while attempting to swim a marathon."

She added: "As a keen swimmer, I often swim 80-100 lengths of the pool but have never attempted anything like this before.

"I estimate that this will take me over four hours. Based on his time from last year, this means that Nathan is likely to have to swim 440-450 lengths to keep me company - maybe more."

Both Mr Phelps and Ms Garrett are also passionate about supporting Chippy Lido.

Ms Garrett became a trustee of the Lido earlier this year, and Mr Phelps has long been a champion fund-raiser, including participating in the Lido’s Water for Water campaign.

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Diners at Whistlers can support the Lido by making a donation when they drink tap water.

The Lido has organised a brunch event for anyone who wants to swim alongside, or support, Mr Phelps and Ms Garrett. 

Run by local people as a charity since 2004, and without the core public funding available to most outdoor swimming pools, the lido is reliant upon donations and fundraisers, including an annual auction of promises hosted by Jeremy Clarkson.

Following the marathon swim on on Sunday, September 1 there will be an after-party at Whistlers restaurant from 5pm.