Wolverhampton man takes the plunge in memory of late wife

The 60-year-old from Tettenhall will also be raising funds for vital research into brain tumours like the one which cost the life of his wife of 38 years last summer.

Mr Spittle, who gave up his job as a sales manager to care for Linda in 2012, the year after she had been diagnosed with the complaint, said as he prepared for the 14 km - nearly nine mile - swim along the River Thames from Henley to Marlow:

"I am doing this in memory of her and wanted to do something that took me outside my comfort zone - something that people realised was a real challenge. My hope is that they will reward this endeavour by sponsoring me."

Mr Spittle, who has two children and two grandchildren, has been a keen runner for over 30 years during which he has competed in marathons and ironman triathlons.

He explained: "I have swum in open water before but not for anything like the distance of this event. The furtherest I have sum previously is three miles. It is a complete unknown but I am fit and would hope to complete the distance in under four hours. But whatever happens I will complete the challenge. I am a determined man - some would say bloody minded. I keep myself fit and hopefully that will stand me in good stead."

The annual Bridge to Bridge swim from Henley on Thames to Marlow raises money for The Brain Tumour Charity, that is dedicated to fighting the devastating disease and will be held this year on August 10.

Mr Spittle is aiming to raise £1,500 for the charity. Anyone wishing to sponsor him can call him on 07952 418882 or visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LIONEL.SPITTLE .

Louise Taylor, The Charity's Director of Fundraising, said: "We are extremely grateful for all the efforts made by our fantastic fundraisers and wish them all the very best. Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of the under 40s and, unlike other cancers, survival rates have not improved over the last 40 years.

"We are leading the way in changing this and truly fighting brain tumours on all fronts through our work, including a £2.5m investment into research this year alone.

"We receive no government funding and rely 100% on voluntary donations, so it's only through the efforts of people like Lionel that we can change these shocking statistics in the future and bring hope to the thousands of people who are diagnosed with a brain tumour every year."