TWO teenagers braved freezing temperatures to complete a channel swimming challenge for charity.

Daisy Kempston, 15 and Ava Bromfield 14, from Hove swam an average of two kilometres a day across nine days to reach their target distance of 33.8km – the equivalent of The English Channel.

The girls started on January 7 braving sea temperatures as low as eight degrees.

The Argus: Daisy and Ava swam 21 miles - the equivalent of the English Channel. Photo by @manjawilliamsphotographyDaisy and Ava swam 21 miles - the equivalent of the English Channel. Photo by @manjawilliamsphotography

They swam in 45-minute intervals, sometimes ending as darkness fell.

Their parents watched on from Hove beach, checking the weather conditions were suitable and ensuring they were safe at all times.

The pair, who met at Brighton Surf Life Saving Club, completed their swim on Sunday,

Ava said that while the cold temperatures were at times difficult to cope with, Daisy’s support helped her push through.

She said: “Honestly, it’s so hard when you get in to then put your head under, but Daisy was always there telling me to get under and start swimming so that really motivated me.

The duo originally set out to raise £200 for The Wave Project, a charity which helps young people with mental health issues through surf therapy.

But their fundraiser has now reached over £1,200 and shows now signs of slowing down.

The Argus: Daisy and Ava have raised more than £1200 for The Wave Project.Daisy and Ava have raised more than £1200 for The Wave Project.

Daisy said they had been overwhelmed with the response to their challenge and she is pleased to be donating to such a “worthy” cause.

She said: “It’s quite stressful with online school and we needed something to distract us from everything.

“It gave us a goal and a challenge and something to work towards. It allowed us to give to others who are less fortunate than us and don’t have the sea on their doorstep.

“It’s just nice to give to charity during these hard times.”

Joe Taylor, founder of The Wave Project, praised the girls for their determination to complete the challenge in the middle of winter.

He said: “The effort that the girls have put in to swim such an incredible distance in the sea in the middle of January is amazing.

“Thank you so much to them for their determination and grit to keep going. The incredible fundraising they have raised is remarkable and we’re so grateful to them for their efforts.”

Ava and Daisy are already planning their next challenge, but they are considering waiting until the summer, when the sea will perhaps be a little more inviting.

To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/daisyandavaswim4waveproject