A Radley College housemaster, teacher and rowing coach has conquered the Channel in the lastest effort to fund the fight against leukaemia.

Angus McChesney swam the 22 miles across the channel in 12 hours and 45 minutes last week to raise funds for Leukaemia Research.

He was inspired by pupil Freddie Tapner who has contracted leukaemia and the money raised will go towards a research post which has been set up at University College Hospital in London.

Last month college organist Dr Timothy Morris did a sponsored music marathon playing all of Bach's organ works in a 16-hour session to raise money for the University's research programme.

After months of training in the Thames, Mr McChesney's resolve was put to the test on Wednesday as he began his swim in choppy waters from Shakespeare Beach in Dover at 5am.

On board the support boat, he had a crew of helpers to administer half-hourly feeds and provide encouragement.

Due to rough waters at the start, most of the crew were stricken with sea sickness but they recovered enough to help keep Mr McChesney on course.

During the gruelling swim he had to contend with several jelly fish and an array of huge tankers and ferries that cut across his path at regular intervals.

He said: "At times I felt as if I was swimming through an eerie underwater forest of seaweed. My main concern was avoiding a facial confrontation with a jellyfish."

After 12-and-three-quarter-hours, Mr McChesney touched down onto the sand and ran along the beach.

He held his arms aloft and cheered, much to the amusement of some local French people out for an evening walk.

After asking one of them to take a photo of him on the beach with his waterproof camera and finding a rock to take back to his two young children, he swam back to his support boat. He said: "The swim was one of the most brutal but worthwhile things I have ever done in my life.

"I suffered extreme pain and tiredness throughout the swim but not as much as children with leukaemia who have to embark on years of gruelling treatment in order to beat the disease."

The swim has raised £20,000 so far but Mr McChesney hopes more people will contribute to the fund.

He can be contacted on 01235 548530 ajm@radley.org.uk or 07770 942622.

Donations can be made via www.justgiving.com/mcchesneychannelswim.