A GROUP of Gurkhas, until a few months ago barely able to swim, are now preparing to cross the English Channel. The six-strong team from Invicta Barracks, Maidstone, is taking part in a gruelling five-hour daily swimming routine ahead of their 42-mile crossing in July from Folkestone to the French coast near Calais.

Gurkhas are from Nepal, a land-locked mountainous country thousands of miles from the sea. The soldiers from 36 Engineer Regiment are taking part in the swim to raise funds for Demelza House children's hospice, near Sittingbourne.

The soldiers will swim a relay of three hours each in the challenge expected to take at least 18 hours. They will have to swim against the tide for long periods and at one point are unlikely to make any progress in the water for up to four hours until the tide turns.

The Gurkhas have done most of their training in the swimming pool at their barracks combined with trips to the sea off the Dorset coast. Major Sean Harris, officer commaning 69 Gurkha Field Squadron, said: "Because they are not natural-born swimmers, I don't think they are likely to set a record crossing the Channel but they are determined to do as well as possible." For information about how to make a donation, contact Lt Nathan Carter on 01622 767262 or write to him at 36 Engineer Regiment, Invicta Park, Maidstone, ME14 2NA.