Woman's swim to fundraise for water safety charity

A woman who once helped pull a drowning man from the sea is undertaking a river swim to raise funds for a charity promoting safety in the water.

Natalie Andersen, from Brighton in East Sussex, entered the sea in rough conditions on New Year's Day to reach the swimmer, who had got into difficulty near the seaside resort's Palace Pier. She performed CPR on the man but he could not be resuscitated.

She will take part in the 3.1-mile (5km) River Adur Swim later to raise money for the Royal Life Saving Society UK.

Speaking to the BBC, she said: "I felt that doing a water-based activity was a real opportunity to be able to raise awareness of the importance of staying safe in the water."

A keen swimmer, Andersen said she has been training several times a week in preparation for the event.

Describing her reason for taking part as "personal", she said she was expecting it to be "very hot", adding that swimming without a tide would be an additional challenge.

With another period of hot weather due, Andersen said it was important that people learn about safety in the water.

She said: "The charity works to educate communities on the importance of enjoying water but also being really safe.

"I think a huge part of connecting people with the ocean and other bodies of water is that people are able to enjoy it.

"So, I would say do enjoy it but, before you do that, assess the risk and always be safe."

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