A FORMER BBC presenter from Twyford will be embracing the cold sea and swimming the English Channel for charity.

Georgie Palmer is set to take on a 36km swim in June as part of a six-strong team.

The 41-year-old, who worked as a BBC South weather anchor and entertainment reporter from 2006 to 2012, is raising funds for St Raphael's Hospice in London.

The cause is close to her heart as her mother Alison Palmer was cared for there before her death, aged 72, last August.

Georgie, now a freelance presenter, said: “I feel it is the best way I can raise money for the hospice in memory of mum to say thanks for the care she received. I know I am only one small person but I want to raise awareness of what hospices do.”

Georgie has been training at Lakeside Country Park. She said: “I have always loved swimming and if I can see water I want to jump in it. I have been known to do that and I have always loved swimming in the sea.”

She said her love for the open water started at an early age when she swam in the Irish Sea as a child.

Each swimmer will swim for an hour before resting for five, and will cover 6km each, they will also not be doing it in wetsuits, as the Channel Swimming Association does not allow them.

To sponsor Georgie, who aims to raise more than £1000 for the cause visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=GeorgieSollom&pageUrl=3