A BUSINESS manager who had back surgery after a riding accident is hoping to raise £1,000 for charity by swimming 22 miles.

Jayne Painter, 46, from Conyer, near Faversham, was helping a friend to exercise her horse in July, 2001 when the accident occurred. She fractured two vertebrae and after surgery, which included a bone graft and the insertion of titanium rods in her back, spent many months having physiotherapy.

Swimming played a big part in Jayne’s recovery and now helps to ease the frequent pain and discomfort she experiences because she is allergic to the titanium implants.

Jayne is taking part in a swim challenge organised by ASPIRE, the national spinal cord injury charity, to help others who have suffered spinal injuries.

She said: “Swimming is absolutely fabulous and helps ease the pain. I have tried everything else but swimming really works. It is fantastic.

“If I have a really busy day at work I unwind in the pool and I try to swim at least three times a week.”

ASPIRE’s 'Channel’ swim is one of the UK’s biggest sponsored swimming events. From Monday, September 12, hundreds of swimmers, including Jayne, will try to swim the 22-mile distance of the English Channel. They must complete the challenge in 12 weeks, by Sunday, December 4, either by swimming on their own or by splitting the distance between a group of friends.

Jayne, who works for a national health and hygiene company, plans to swim most of her 22 miles at Faversham pool, where she regularly trains.

“I was very lucky after my accident because I can still walk,” she said. “I hope my story and swim will inspire others to support or join the challenge.”

ASPIRE works with victims to create opportunities and independence. About 40,000 people in Britain have a spinal cord injury, for which there is no cure.

* To take part in the ASPIRE challenge contact Lynsey Coles on freephone 08000 370 880 or see www.aspirechannelswim.co.uk