A firefighter named IAIN Hughes has vanished while trying to swim the English Channel for charity.
On June 20, 2023, the 42-year-old departed from Dover with a support boat before going missing.
Who is Iain Hughes?
Iain, who is from Dudley in the West Midlands, joined the fire department when he was 19 years old.
He works in the technical rescue division at the Wednesbury fire station.
According to a statement from the West Midlands Fire Service, “We are heartbroken to confirm that one of our crew managers, Iain Hughes, is missing after his inspiring attempt to swim the English Channel for charity.”
The statement said, “Iain’s whereabouts remain unclear despite search efforts by French and Belgian military helicopters, as well as navy and police patrol boats.
What charity was Iain Hughes swimming the channel for?
Iain had hoped to generate a sizable sum of money for several charity.
He hopes to raise $21,000 for the Fire Fighters’ Charity, the Midlands Air Ambulance, and the British Heart Foundation.
When did Iain Hughes go missing in the channel?
On June 20, 2023, Iain launched his charity swim from Dover with a support boat.
Two weeks prior, he announced via social media that severe weather had forced a postponement of the swim.
According to a BBC story, the Gris-Nez operational surveillance and rescue center (CROSS) was alerted that a swimmer had vanished on Tuesday, June 20, off the Cap Gris-Nez.
It sent out a French Navy patrol boat and helicopters from the French and Belgian fleets to assist in the hunt.
Wayne Brown, the chief fire officer, called Iain’s absence “unspeakably sad”.
He added: “We are giving Iain’s family all the support we can at this distressing time.
“He is a highly-respected and much-loved colleague and friend to many.”
On Thursday, June 22, 2023, it was revealed the search had been called off.
Is Iain Hughes married and who is his wife?
Iain is married and is a father-of-two.
In his JustGiving page he described the amount of money he wanted to raise as “optimistic”.
He added: “Please donate and share my page with your family and friends… Thank you for your support.”
Anyone wanting to make a donation can do so here.
