Faversham family tackle Channel swim for the Stroke Association

Swimming the English Channel will be a real family affair for Ryan Godfrey and his three sons when they tackle it as a team later this month.

Ryan, 52, and his sons Nathan, 22, Alex, 20, and Ben, 18, will be braving the busiest shipping lane in the world to raise money for the Stroke Association.

The family, who live in Faversham, are all keen swimmers and will take on the challenge in a relay, starting from Samphire Hoe, near Dover.

Ryan, who works in marine insurance, caught the cross-channel bug after taking part in a four-man relay in 2024.

“I said to my boys - tongue in cheek - wouldn’t it be great to do a father and son relay? To my surprise they all agreed! Two years later, here we are!

“Between 28 August and 2 September, we’ll be on standby waiting for the green light: once the weather, tides and conditions line up, we’ll get the call… and it’s game on!

“This challenge isn’t just about testing ourselves - it’s about raising money for a cause that means a great deal to our family.

“Stroke can happen to anyone, regardless of age, and we’ve sadly seen that first-hand. Three close friends of ours have all suffered strokes in their early fifties, each with life-changing consequences. Watching how stroke has affected them and their families has shown us just how devastating it can be.

“My wife Debbie works as a speech and language therapist supporting stroke survivors; she sees the challenges people face during recovery and the incredible work that organisations like the Stroke Association do to help rebuild lives.”

The family have been training for several months, with swimming sessions throughout the winter in the outdoor pool at Faversham Swimming Pools to get used to cold water, plus regular trips to Dover to train in the sea and experience open-water conditions.

“The boys started swimming at a young age and are all of a decent standard, having been members of swimming clubs and a triathlon club at various points in the past,” said Ryan.

“During the channel crossing the four of us will take it in turns to swim for an hour at a time, keeping strictly to the same order: it’s all about teamwork, determination and trying not to think too much about how cold it is!”

The straight-line distance across the English Channel is 21 miles, however because powerful tidal currents push swimmers sideways in a zigzag or S-shape path, most crossings actually cover between 25 and 35 miles.

“We’re crossing the world’s busiest shipping lane and it’s the pilot’s job, in contact with the coastguard, to map out the best route for us. Hopefully we will end up at Cap gris nez which is the shortest distance from Samphire Hoe beach as the crow flies.

“We could even be swimming in the dark, in which case we will wear beacon lights so we remain visible. We’ll be sharing the water with jellyfish, seaweed and whatever else decides to drift by.

“If we get it right, hopefully it will be a relatively fast crossing. If we get it wrong, it will be a very long crossing. Anything less than 12 hours will be fantastic.”

Donations on the family’s JustGiving page - www.justgiving.com/page/godfreybuoys - have already topped £2,700.

The Stroke Association is the leading charity in the UK providing life-long support for all stroke survivors and their families.

Cristina Bayliss, the charity’s Kent service delivery coach, said: “We’re hugely grateful to Ryan and his sons for taking on this remarkable family challenge and wish them well.”

“Our specialist support, research and campaigning is only possible with the courage and determination of the stroke community and the generosity of our supporters like the Godfreys.”

For more information about stroke and support services for survivors and carers in Kent, visit the Stroke Association website www.stroke.org.uk or call the Stroke Support Helpline on 0303 3033 100.