Thirteen students from Beech Hall School in Macclesfield, ranging from year 9 to 11, are exemplifying their school motto; 'They can because they believe they can,' by taking on the English Channel Relay challenge.

The students have been training since September in the school's pool, continuing with Saturday training throughout lockdown and with the pool's boiler switched off temperatures plunged to just three degrees but they persisted nonetheless.

Dubbed the Mencap Marvels, this challenge is helping to fundraise for the Mencap charity that was due to be the London Marathon primary sponsor, an opportunity they lost due to lockdown.

The squad contains a good mix of natural athletes, talented swimmers and students who have simply taken to open water swimming.

Thirteen of the original 15 swimmers successfully completed their qualifying swim in February, sustaining a full two-hour swim in temperatures under 15 degrees.

On the 20th of March, all thirteen students passed their Channel Swimming Association medical assessment and will go on to form a junior and senior squad with six swimmers each.

"No one can actually invent how hard this challenge is." said coach Nikki Pope, who has completed multiple laps of the Channel and achieved the Greatest Feat of Endurance award from the Channel Swimming Association after enduring hours of jellyfish, storms and even hail during her swim.

Mrs Pope has also completed 6 ice miles, the latest being through the Arctic circle which Karen Ennis, the squads second coach, has also been a part of.

Both coaches are qualified in advanced swim mastery advanced, a form of swimming that focuses on working mindfully with the whole body for a more sustained and safer swim technique.

A hypnotherapist has also been brought in to help support their mental preparation.

"At least 50% of swimming the Channel is in your head," said Beech Hall headmaster James Allen.

Mr Allen joined Mrs Pope in an English Channel relay in August last year and upon returning decided to get students involved in the adventure, giving them a goal to focus on whilst the world was gripped in the Coronavirus pandemic.

The headmaster said: "Whether it's a swimming challenge or the pandemic we want them to have the mental toughness to overcome it."

It's unusual for a school team to take part in the relay challenge and even rarer for a squad of swimmers all under the age of 16, because of this the junior squad can have no less than six swimmers, whilst it is possible to swim the Channel with a team of 4, reserves must be arranged for the squad.

"I'm really excited for these kids because if they can realise now how to take the bull by the horns in life then what does the future hold for them?" commented Mrs Pope.

Rules around crossing the Channel are incredibly strict so the students will be spending their June half-term in Dover to practice their changeovers, organise strategy, work with the actual boats and get used to the environment.

"No point in worrying about what the weather's going to do, what the waves are going to do but take control of the things you can." encouraged Mr Allen who is incredibly proud of the students and excited for the swim.

To encourage all Beech Hall students to do their part, the school will be hosting events throughout the year with all proceeds going towards Mencap and the final fundraising goal of £25,000.

Mencap is the largest UK charity that assists individuals with learning disabilities, a community that is undoubtedly one of the hardest hit groups by lockdown, and Beech Hall School wants to help them raise the funds the missed out on at the London Marathon.