THREE swimmers from Herefordshire have made history by becoming the first people to travel the entire length of the River Wye on consecutive days.

Nicola Goodwin, Julie Hardman and Ian Rivers walked and swam from the source at Plynlimon to where the river meets the Severn estuary at Chepstow. 

They took on the challenge to explore and highlight the beauty of the river and to raise money for St Michael’s Hospice. So far they’ve raised more than £1000.

Starting at Plynlimon on September 12th, they swam 87 miles and walked 70 miles to finish 11 days later at Beachley where the Wye meets the Severn and flows into the sea. 

Former Monmouth Girls School pupil Mrs Goodwin said: “Coping with the cold was the biggest challenge. The water was 14 degrees at times and it was really difficult finishing each day totally exhausted and knowing that you had to get up the next morning and climb into a cold wetsuit and start again”

The three swam up to 14 miles a day and were supported by family and friends who supplied hot drinks and food from the riverbanks.

Mrs Hardman said: "We’ve been overwhelmed by the kindness of loved ones and strangers. It’s only been possible thanks to the people who have trekked through fields and mud to make sure we had tea and biscuits and a friendly face to keep us going”