AN ABERYSTWYTH man is entering the final month of an “epic” two-year training regime in preparation for the toughest challenge of his life.

Barring any last minute setbacks due to weather, former Penglais School pupil Gavin Lewis, 37, will step into the English Channel at the start of September as he begins the minimum 21-mile solo swim, which has been successfully completed by fewer people than have scaled Mount Everest. And in doing so, Gavin, whose mum and dad, Margaret and Anthony Lewis, live in Capel Dewi, is hoping to raise as much money as possible for the Stay Strong for Ows campaign.

The campaign was set up to fund continuing care for Owen Williams, a once-promising Wales and Cardiff Blues rugby player who suffered a serious injury to his spinal cord while playing for the Blues in Singapore in 2014.

To sponsor Gavin and support the Stay Strong for Ows campaign, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/onebigswim

Gavin is also holding a charity evening at the Cardiff Blues Stadium on Saturday, 13 August, which is open to the public and will feature a raffle, an auction of signed rugby memorabilia, and the screening of a video of Gavin in training. Tickets are £20 and include food.

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