Bananas, raisins and the sight of the Sheppey Crossing helped keep a group of fundraisers going on their swimming round the Island.

Duane Ashworth, of Moat Way, Queenborough, organised the 32-mile swim to raise money for Help For Heroes on Saturday.

The 42-year-old was joined by friends Geoff Geraghty, Ian Arnell , Jon Muckle and Lee Rough when they left the all-tide landing in Queenborough at 3.30am.

They swam the whole of Sheppey's perimeter in relay - doing about half an hour each at a time - and arrived back at the landing at 6.30pm that evening.

Lee left them at Harty, however, as he had to go to play a gig with his band.

Duane, who lives with his wife Caroline, chose the military charity as he served with the Grenadier Guards for 12 years and two of his five children are in the Army.

Now sports and leisure manager at Shurland Dale Holiday Park in Eastchurch, Duane swam the 24 miles of the Channel 20 years ago.

While they were not swimming, the group were restocking with bananas, raisins and energy drinks in their support boats.

Duane thanked Barry Webb, Andre Ahab and Marco Devereux, who followed the swimmers with support boats, and also The Old House at Home landlady Bev Auston for the towels, showers, hot drinks and food she had waiting for them.

The swimmers started to struggle when they were almost at the Sheppey Crossing but from there they all jumped in and swam together to the finishing point.

"The water wasn't as cold as I expected," said Duane.

"Going under the bridge was the best bit because it's a landmark and because it was the last leg."

• The group has so far raised about £1,500 for the charity. To sponsor them visit www.bmycharity.com/isleofsheppeyswim