CHARITY swimmers covered more than 50 miles at an event held in memory of the man who thought it up.

A total of 61 people took to the water at Newport’s International Sports Village on Sunday to help raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society.

With a target of 1,600 lengths, equivalent to the 26 miles between England and France, the group managed to finish 3,341 lengths when added to lengths done by fundraisers from further afield. The day was a tribute to Steve Humphries, who died from a heart attack, aged 54, in July before his fundraising idea could take place.

His partner Tracy Lewis, 44, and her mother Fran Lewis, 64, of Heather Road, Newport, were two of the swimmers.

Fran’s daughter Julie died aged 35 in August 2003 due to complications from MS.

Swimmers raised £190 on the day, but it is expected more than £500 will be collected once all donations are in.

Fran, a fundraiser for Newport and District MS Society, said: “I was so proud of everybody, they worked so hard.

“I’d like to thank everybody – it was a fun day and the atmosphere was fabulous.”