A WANTAGE dad will attempt to swim the English Channel tomorrow, to help his two-year-old disabled son learn to walk.

Keen triathlete James Howard, 37, plans to battle the choppy waters and his fear of jellyfish to raise at least £5,000 for the Footsteps Centre in Dorchester, near Wallingford.

Two-year-old Aiden has cerebral palsy and doctors once said it would be a “miracle” if he ever walked. But, with the help of the physiotherapy charity, he is already walking with support.

Mr Howard, of Manor Road, said: “When we were first told about the condition we were told he would never walk and if he did it would be a miracle.

“Footsteps stepped in and helped us and the results have been miraculous.

“We were feeling very low and then to find out somebody can help is just fantastic. But it costs a lot of money, so I am trying to raise as much as possible.”

The father-of-three said it may take 15 years of physiotherapy before Aiden, who visits the centre twice a week, can walk independently.

He added: “Given the amount of progress he has made, we are confident he will be able to lead a normal life walking.”

Mr Howard believes his swim will take 12 to 16 hours.

He said: “I am really looking forward to the swim, but not the jellyfish. I have phobia of jellyfish.”

Footsteps founder Pip Hoyer Millar said: “We are thrilled James is undertaking this mammoth feat.”

Lisa Auchinvole, 40, manager of tfd Health and Fitness in Grove Technology Park, is also hoping to swim the Channel this week. She was due off last Sunday, but bad weather stopped her effort.

She aims to raise £10,000 for Action Duchenne, as her friend’s son, eight, has the muscle-wasting disease.

To donate to Footsteps, see swiminasuit.com