A former soldier who is paralysed down one side of his body swam nearly a mile between two seaside landmarks powered only by his left arm.

Matthew Rhodes, who is partially sighted, set off from Brighton's West Pier at 2.30pm yesterday and reached the Palace Pier 44 minutes later.

The 30-year-old former physical training instructor, who lives in Peacehaven with his wife Michelle and three children, trained intensively for five months to prepare himself for the pier-to-pier challenge.

The event raised £800 for St Dunstan's, a charity which supports blind ex-servicemen and women.

St Dunstan's came to the aid of Mr Rhodes after he was involved in a motorcycle accident ten years ago while stationed in Germany with the British Army. He lost most of his sight and all feeling in the right side of his body.

He stayed at St Dunstan's, in Ovingdean, for seven months following the accident and still uses a leg brace to walk.

Mr Rhodes, who completed his swim in a wetsuit alongside two St Dunstan's staff in kayaks, was met on the shore by his family.

He said: "I was told there were jellyfish in the water but I didn't come across any. I feel a bit like jelly now though."

The most difficult part of the swim was the start but once he got into a rhythm it became easier.

He said: "The sea was lovely and calm and once I start something I don't stop until I've finished."

His wife Michelle, 36, said: "I was surprised at how quick he was. He swam quicker than I could walk. I knew he could do it because once he sets his mind on something that's it."

Yesterday's swim was not the first time Mr Rhodes had tested himself for charity. Last year he did a skydive from 12,000ft for a cancer research charity. He also enjoys climbing, abseiling and diving.

He said: "My disability means nothing. I have been disabled for ten years but in that time I have done more than I ever did before. I hope St Dunstan's gets a lot of money from this because after my accident they were the only people who helped me. They treated me normally and I wanted to say thank you."

Tom Hatt, a 23-year-old sports and recreation instructor at St Dunstan's who accompanied Mr Rhodes in one of the kayaks, predicted the swimmer would be back for more.

He said: "He put a lot of work in and he's mentally and physically strong. I think this was a warm-up for something else."

St Dunstan's, which is funded solely by donations, is still accepting sponsorship money. To contribute, call 020 7616 7939.