Spinal injury victim, 71, swims Channel

A 71-year-old spinal cord injury victim has completed a remarkable swim across the Channel.

Eleanor Reddington, of Rhos on Sea, Conwy county, has permanent spine and neck damage following two separate car crashes.

She also has both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis that severely limits her mobility.

But that did not stop her taking her place in a six-strong relay team that swam from Dover to France on Sunday - 15 years after first completing the gruelling challenge.

The team defied choppy conditions and jellyfish to complete the 18.2 nautical miles (approximately 21 land miles) in just under 13 hours.

"It didn't matter how tired we all were at the end, it was a feeling of pure euphoria," she said.

"I'm pretty stiff and sore now, but elated.

"People have been telling me that I'm an inspiration taking on this challenge twice, but I don't think of myself like that. I just haven't let my mobility problems stop me.

"I could either have curled up in a corner or just got on with things."

The retired Methodist minister can regularly be spotted swimming with friends off the coast of Colwyn Bay and is determined to show that neither her disability or age will stop her.

"Swimming for me is freedom. Freedom of movement and also freedom from pain," she said.

"I love the water, whether it's the sea or lakes, so swimming is also wonderful for my mental health.

"Thankfully I have a great group of friends who help me train and take my crutches back onto the shore."

Eleanor was the oldest member of the team raising money for spinal injury charity Aspire.

She was first drawn to the cause having suffered serious injuries in two car crashes when she was in her 20s.

"I've had two car accidents where I've been shunted from behind. I like to think it's because of my magnetic personality," she joked.

Having helped inspire the first cross-Channel swim in 2009, the charity has since raised more than £2m from the challenge and invited Mrs Reddington to take part in their 100th crossing at the weekend.

Leaving Samphire Hoe beach near Dover, Kent, just before midnight on Saturday, the team took turns to swim for an hour, despite the dark.

"When they mentioned it I just said 'yes' straight away. I had no concerns at all, I really wanted to do it," she said.

"It was pretty choppy when we set off, which actually felt worse when resting on the support boat.

"With my mobility issues, the hardest bit was probably getting in and out of the boat. But once I was in the water, it was wonderful. My first leg began in the dark and ended in daylight.

"Some of the team were stung by jellyfish but thankfully they seemed to stay beneath me because it was choppy."

Will she attempt a third crossing?

"I never thought I would be back for a second. I think that may be enough, but I will always be swimming."