INSPIRED by Davina McCall’s Sport Relief challenge, staff at Marwell Hotel Leisure Club have taken on a challenge of their own.

Fitness fanatics Danny Harfield, 22, and Giles Cresswell, 18, raised £264.11 for the charity by swimming 20 kilometres over 12 hours in half an hour relays.

Leisure club manager, Danny, said: “We found this would be the most efficient method to complete the 12 hours to our best ability.

“We received an amazing amount of support from our members and guests staying at the hotel. It helped keep us motivated throughout the day and we would like to thank everyone for their kind donations.”

The swimathon took place between 7am and 7pm, with guests and well wishers turning out to give encouragement and energising snacks.

The pair even braved an ice bath in between relays, and leisure assistant apprentice Giles said: “The initial use of the ice bath was a shock to the system, but then I remembered why we were doing the swimathon and mentally challenged myself to push on.”

The hotel plans to make the event bigger next year.