I'm swimming 22 miles without a wetsuit across the busiest shipping lane in the world... through jellyfish

A Lytham man is preparing to take on one of the world’s most demanding endurance challenges, with just 12 weeks to go before he attempts a solo swim of the English Channel.

Matt Jones will cover around 22 miles through open water after two years of intensive preparation, both physically and mentally. He has described the undertaking as ‘the biggest swim of my life.’

‘It starts in the pitch black’

“Swimming is something that has given me an outlet, goals, achievement, adventure, friends and peace at various important stages of my life,” said Matt. “I've had the fortune to swim along Croatia, Turkey, Ibiza, Greece, Oman, and the Scilly Isles and always been asked why I haven't done the Channel Swim.

“There's the usual excuses that have existed whether it's life or career or cost but, ultimately, it's hard! It's 22 miles of tidal waters without a wetsuit across the busiest shipping lane in the world at a minimum of 3km/h from Dover to France through jellyfish and anything else you might encounter.

“It starts at circa 3:30am in pitch black and doesn't stop until you get there some 13+ hours later,” he added. “You can't touch the boat or any people and you must stand unassisted on French land to be successful.

“On Monday July 13th, 2026, my week slot to swim the Channel opens and I will be waiting for the Captain of my ship (High Hopes) to give me the confirmation of which day that week we will be going. This is the largest and most challenging event I've ever signed up to do - I won't lie, it's pretty intimidating.”

‘Life is incredibly short - you're here once’

The crossing forms part of the Oceans Seven, widely regarded as a collection of the toughest swims globally. By comparison, more than 7,200 people have summited Mount Everest, while fewer than 2,000 have successfully completed the Channel swim.

Matt is taking on the challenge to raise funds for Brian House Children's Hospice, which provides specialist care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions across the Fylde coast. Many of those supported have complex needs and require round-the-clock care.

The hospice operates with limited government funding and relies heavily on community support, needing around £1.5 million each year to continue providing its services free of charge.

“All of us go through different and significant life experiences at different times in our lives. What has been incredibly clear to me (and any of you reading this who've experienced the same) is that life is incredibly short - you're here once and you have to give it everything you've got whilst you're able to do so.

“I've lost family and friends to cruel circumstances and I've been inspired in the worst times by others to be the best person you possibly can. I will always be so grateful for the end of life care my parents received.

Vibrant, active, and very special

“Anyone providing end of life care has something so special I couldn't possibly put it into words but what they do is so invaluable and so important that I feel compelled to give back where at all I can. What I'm doing is so small in the wider scheme of things but, with your help, we can do something great for people who need it the most.

“Anyone who has visited Brian House, will tell you that it's a vibrant, active (and often noisy!) very special place at the heart of our local community, where we strive to help our most fragile youngsters and their families make the most of every day.

For more information and to donate, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/page/matt-jones-solo-channel-swim