Charity fund set up by 'hero' Channel swim firefighter smashes past £21,000 target
A charity fundraiser set up by a Black Country firefighter who went missing during an English Channel swim has almost doubled its original £21,000 target in an incredible show of support.
Crew manager Iain Hughes, from Dudley - who was based at Wednesbury Fire Station as part of the technical rescue unit - was reported missing in French waters on Tuesday, with the search sadly called off the following day.
Kent Police this afternoon said that enquiries remain ongoing.
A spokesman for the force, said: "Kent Police received a report that a cross-Channel swimmer was missing in French waters on Tuesday, June 20, at around 2.15pm.
"Officers have been in contact with partner agencies including the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and their French counterparts to establish more around the circumstances. Enquiries remain ongoing to locate the missing man."
Now, the fundraiser which was set up by 42-year-old Iain to support the British Heart Foundation, the Fire Fighters Charity and Midlands Air Ambulance, has raised more than £39,000, smashing his £21,000 target.
Lionel Spittle, who is set to swim the Channel in August and trained alongside Iain the weeks leading up to his disappearance has described his devastation.
The 69-year-old said: "We are totally devastated because we know that he approached this in an extremely professional manner like everyone would have.
