A Sidmouth swimmer has completed the challenge of a lifetime by taking part in a cross-channel relay swim, all to raise money for charity.

On Thursday (October 3) members of the relay team endured the cold waters of the English Channel during spring tide, when currents were at their strongest, making a difficult task even tougher.

Team member Marcus Bennett is an accomplished swimmer, who sea swims all year round and can often be spotted swimming just off the coast of Sidmouth.

The team, headed up by Trish Mansell included Laura Phillips, Mark Phillips, Lucas Tompkins, Marcus Bennett and Nigel Robson, completed the swim in 11 hours and 22 minutes.

The event is backed by Zone3, Europe's award-winning triathlon kit brand.

So far the Zone3 Victory Swim The Channel's JustGiving page has raised £3,370 for the Felix Fund, which helps bomb disposal experts and their dependents to bring welfare and financial support. You can still donate, click the red button at the bottom of the page to find out more.

Team Leader Trish Mansell has written a blog describing the team's journey:

"Where do I start? ! Whatever I write here can not possibly capture the emotions and experience of the day, but I will try! The Channel Swim is a challenge in itself but in October, with falling temperatures, shorter days and plenty of chop - what a story!

"It was so much more than just about swimming the Channel. Just to get to Dover has been an emotional roller coaster for all of us involved. Poor Stuart I think began to dread any phone calls / messages from me in the end. However, with his incredible patience, the day finally arrived. Six weary swimmers arrived at Dover Marina in the early hours of Thursday morning to board the Sea Leopard alongside Stuart and his crew - Sean and Debbie.

"There were several boats leaving on this tide so the harbour was alive with apprehensive swimmers hoping to accomplish their dreams. Months of training coming down to this one day. Being so late in the season the weather window to get across was small so knowledge and timing was crucial, of which our trusty pilot did not let us down on!

"Safety briefing done we headed out in the pitch black from the calm sheltered waters in the marina to the choppy changing tide beyond the harbour walls to our start at Samphire Hoe.

"Team tactics was key on this big tide so swimming order was critical to get us across to the separation zone as quickly as possible. Nigel (the rock!) set us well on our way with a solid strong first hour after almost getting run over by Masterpiece leaving the bay! Next up was the always smiling Laura who put in another fantastic strong copy book swim, followed by Dad Mark repeating the feat. Then it was my turn...

"The part I had been dreading the most was having to swim while being sea sick, something hard to replicate in training - more to the point why would you want to?

"I needn't have worried, maybe it was the overdosing on Sturgeron, the constant sucking on mint imperials, or the distraction of helping and supporting team mates or maybe it was just sheer luck but whatever it was I am eternally grateful for, as I entered the dark waters tired, apprehensive but vomit free! And there I remained for the next hour, at the mercy of the sea and co-pilot Sean, kicking my legs (slightly) breathing (occasionally) , waving my arms around (lots) and swallowing more salt water than I would have liked, yet enjoying and relishing every last second of the experience.

"The two green glow sticks that we hung over the side of the boat for sighting became my focus for the next 60 mins. Laura's waving and Nigel's thumbs up became my comfort and support and the relatively warm waters of the Channel became the latest body of water to do what I love doing in, just WOW!

"Next up was Lucas who did a great swim in what was now sunrise and daylight followed by Marcus with another great effort taking us well on our way with a swim each under our belts.

"Watching the sunrise from the middle of the Channel in the company of genuinely lovely people is a memory I will cherish.

"The team by this point had settled into a routine. Myself and Laura were on housekeeping duties tidying up the boat, folding discarded clothing and getting towels, hats and dry robes ready for the returning swimmers and then dressing returning said swimmers. Nigel was chief supporter with Laura and I returning on completion of our duties and Marcus joining us when he wasn't splattering the boat with the previous days dinner.

"Mark & Lucas who were both suffering from the cold and sea sickness slept! Stuart, Shaun and Debbie provided continuous banter, expert piloting and warm water and chocolate on tap.

Spirits rose with the sun, as did the swell of the sea, leading to a more challenging but fun second swim. This time my focus was the Sea Leopard lettering on the bow of the boat and Sean and Stuart's smiling faces looking out for me from the cabin, more like seeing where I was then aiming for me.

"This time I could actually see the 'Half Mobot' acted out by team mates signalling the halfway point of my leg.

"France soon became within reach and after perfect navigation from Stuart we were heading for the Cap. Marcus had just started his second leg so was going to be the man to land us there I was very lucky to be allowed in the dingy and swim the last bit along side Marcus and land on the rocks of France. I think everyone was just glad to get me off the boat to be honest. Of course this last swim of mine was done naked, what else would you expect?!

"And so there it was, the end and success of our amazing swim, signalled by Marcus touching land and me standing as naked as the day I was born on the rocks of France.

"The whole day was a fantastic achievement with each person dealing with their own challenges, an incredible experience made even more so by all the people on board. So many memories made not only on the day but along the journey getting us there. Impossible to capture this in words. There are also many people involved in this journey of whose gratitude towards I will keep private and personal. I am one happy, lucky human being. Live, Love, Laugh, Swim."