A hardy group of swimmers are set to attempt to cross the English Channel in memory of a close friend who died aged just 34 years old.

Kevin Shallow, from Billericay, has teamed up with three pals to raise money for two charities which helped Alex Smith’s family after his death two years ago.

Joined by Paul Morris, Bob Clarkson and Alex’s widow, Rosalind, Kevin will dive into the challenge in a bid to support Team Verrico and Bowel Cancer UK.

Kevin, 35, admits he signed up for the gruelling fundraiser having never attempted an open water swim before.

To make things harder, the preparation for the event has not gone swimmingly.

He said: “We hope the swim will help raise awareness of bowel cancer in younger men as Alex was only around my age when he got diagnosed.

“Hopefully this will encourage younger people to look out for the signs of cancer and hearing Alex’s story will help to make a difference to someone else’s life, even in just a small way.

“Training has been limited and, unfortunately, hampered by lockdown.

“Pools and open water facilities have been closed, so it’s been very tough.

“I intend to do a lot of pool training for technique plus open water swimming at Boreham as we move closer to the date.”

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Alex passed away, leaving behind two young children, having been diagnosed with bowel cancer, which had already spread to his liver.

Team Verrico paid for a nanny to help look after Alex’s sons, Maxwell and Zachary, now aged four and three respectively, while wife Rosalind underwent chemotherapy having been diagnosed with breast cancer just two weeks after Alex’s death.

As a result, the quartet want to give back to the charity, along with Bowel Cancer UK.

They have set their sights on completing the 21-mile fundraiser at the end of July in less than 16 hours.

Rosalind hopes joining forces with Kevin, Paul and Bob will help to save lives.

She said: “If our story can help prevent even just one family from going through what we’ve gone through, are still going through, and will do for the rest of our lives, then doing all of this is worthwhile.”

To sponsor the team, visit sponsorme.co.uk/rosalindsouth-/swim-for-alex.