A SWIMMER who had to be fitted with a stent and has had his life saved on two occasions has raised vital funding for a heart charity.
Andrew Wright, 64, previously of Clacton, has bravely tackled and completed three swimming challenges in aid of the British Heart Foundation.
His most recent four-hour paddle saw Mr Wright tackle the River Alde from Aldeburgh to Shingle Street, in Suffolk.
He tackled the challenge alongside Eileen Murphy and then Andy Ellis, who joined the pair at the half way point.
READ MORE: Swimmer completes Walton Pier to Clacton Pier race... 46 years on
The 10.7-mile fundraising dip was part of a series of challenges which saw the former Clacton Swimming Club member also complete the Walton Pier to Clacton Pier swim.
Having also taken on Woodbridge to Bawdsey, the former Clacton school student has generated more than £1,630 for the British Heart Foundation.
He was inspired to raise money for the organisation after battling his own life-threatening heart problems, which left him needing to be twice saved by doctors.
Mr Wright said: “This is now the furthest I have ever swum and in total I have raised £1,630 for the British Heart Foundation.
"It is a very big surprise when I was just hoping for around £200 but everyone has been very generous.
"It's totally amazing as to how much support I've had, even from people I haven't seen for 40 years.
"Also, without the other swimmers on all of the challenges I would not have been able to complete the swims."
To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Andrew-Wright92.
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