Two Hampshire divers will attempt an underwater scooter swim of the Solent, on the South Coast, at the beginning of April. They’re doing it for a Save the Children campaign to fund the recovery of schools affected by the tsunami disaster, at Phuket in Thailand.

On 3 April John Gedden and Ian Bathe will use DPVs (diver propulsion vehicles) to make their 4.5-mile journey following the Solent's wartime anti-submarine barrier, which runs all the way from the mainland to the island. They'll start at Southsea Beach near Portsmouth, 'scooting' across to the Isle of Wight via Horsesand Fort and No Man's Land Fort.

The attempt has a strong back-up team and support from well-known names in sport diving, including AP Valves, Beaver, Scubapro, Sea Marshall, Poseidon and Weezle. Actor Mark Wingett, who plays Jim Carver in The Bill, hopes to be there to lend his support and may even enter the sea to observe the divers - somewhat appropriate, as John and Ian are both sergeants with Hampshire Police!

The swim is being considered by Guinness for a new world record category, for the longest unbroken underwater journey using a DPV. For more on the attempt and its personalities, or to make a donation, visit www.subsolentchallenge.co.uk

Related links
24-hr dive raises thousands for tsunami victims
Centres declare readiness for visitors
British divers support relief efforts

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