A CHARITY swimmer is set to take on his biggest challenge yet by tackling the North Sea from an offshore principality to Dovercourt beach.

Terry Fay, who has swum the River Stour and six miles across Dovercourt from West Beach to Stone Pier and back for previous causes, has organised to swim from Sealand on August 18.

He first attempted to tackle the route in 2017, but safety support fell through forcing him to cancel.

He is now going to take on the eight-mile swim in aid of a cancer charity.

Terry, 47, of Dovercourt, said: “In 2017 my safety option fell through and I had to cancel.

“It’s now been arranged again this year, with safety boat in place provided by Paul Gray, for Sunday, August 18 – the same day as the Dovercourt Beside The Seaside beach festival.

“The swim is about eight miles in open water, and I hope to swim it in around four and a half to five hours.

“I’ve been sea swimming every day for the past six weeks in training for the event, so am confident I’ll be ready.”

Terry, who works for AGI Global Logistics, believes it will be the first time someone has completed a swim from Sealand to Dovercourt.

He said: “Although there have apparently been swims from Sealand to Felixstowe in the past, this will be the first swim to Dovercourt – so is further, and also doesn’t cross a busy shipping lane.

“The date will be weather dependant, but we have four more dates in place in August and September if we have to postpone.

“We’re raising money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, as they very much came to the aid of a close member of our family this year, and continue to do so.”

Terry is expected to arrive at Dovercourt West Beach at 3pm on the day and welcomes any supporters wishing to welcome him back to dry land.

To sponsor Terry visit justgiving.com/fundraising/terry-fay6.