Wrexham man completes ‘Channel Swim’ challenge in aid of charity

A local man who suffered life-changing injuries after being found lying unconscious on a Wrexham road has completed his epic fundraising challenge in aid of the charity that supported him during his rehabilitation.

Greg Vickers took on his ‘Channel Swim’ at Wrexham Waterworld in aid of the RAF Benevolent Fund.

The former RAF officer originally planned to swim 60 lengths of Waterworld’s 25 metre swimming pool, three times a week for 12 weeks, the equivalent of swimming the English Channel.

However, Greg completed the challenge in roughly half the time.

In 2005 aged just 23, Greg suffered life-changing brain injuries after being found lifeless on a road in Borras.

After enduring six skull fractures and spending 15 months in hospital, he now struggles with speech and has sight impairment. To this day, what exactly unfolded on that night remains a mystery.

During the lengthy rehabilitation period, the RAF Benevolent Fund supported Greg and his family and the 34-year-old was keen to give something back.

Wrexham’s Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths, has supported Greg and his family over the years and was invited to Waterworld to see Greg finish his Channel challenge.

She said: “After originally hoping to raise £550, Greg has smashed his target with the total currently standing at over £1,800.

“Greg’s achieved something truly remarkable and raised an impressive amount of money for a very worthy cause.

“I know he and his family are extremely grateful to everyone that has donated and people can still sponsor Greg via his Just Giving page.”

More information about Greg’s Channel Swim Challenge and how to donate to the cause can be found at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/greg-vickers4.