A SPORTY student conquered the challenge of a lifetime to help her friend after completing a swim across The English Channel.

Sarah-Jane Garside and her team raised more than £10,000 for Aspire before reaching the finish line in France.

The physiotherapy student saw first-hand how vital the charity is to some people, after her close friend Dani Watts suffered a spinal injury last year during a rugby match for Redingensians Rams Sirens.

Ms Garside, 25, braved the elements by tackling the 21-mile course and was joined by members of Team Caracara for the adventure.

She said: “Aspire have been so incredible to Dani, supplying her with all the help she needs.

"I just wanted to give back to her and to the charity that has done so much for her.

“I have always been quite sporty but endurance events are not usually my thing.

“Before I started training for my swim I had never swum in open water before, but after my first swim I was hooked. I loved it.”

Ms Watts was left paralysed after she was sent hurling to the ground against Bracknell Ladies’ RFC.

The young rugby player was fortunate to receive initial attention from club staff before being rushed to Oxford for specialist treatment.

She continues to receive support from the team at Aspire and Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

Months of preparation went into this challenge and Sarah-Jane says she has enjoyed the thrill of developing her new-found passion for swimming.

Ms Garside added: “It will mean that I have been able to raise awareness and funds for spinal cord injuries.

"Not only that, it will mean I have been able to complete a childhood dream of swimming the English Channel, and it will mean that I have found a new passion in open water swimming that will last a lifetime.”

Visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/lazenbyswimsthechannel to donate to her fundraising page.