A HALSTEAD man is taking on his biggest challenge to date for the Essex Air Ambulance.

Richard Gibbens, of Colchester Road, enjoys taking on a new challenge every year, and already he has taken part in a marathon, a triathlon, a 10 mile para trooper run carrying 35lb weight and swimming the 5.25 mile length of Lake Coniston, in the Lake District.

This year, he is taking on the Scilly Swim Challenge, swimming an average of 2.5 miles between each of the six main islands, with a run across each island.

You have 12 hours to complete the 15km total swim and 10km total running distance.

Mr Gibbens, who works for Essex Police, said: "I think that if something excites you and scares you, it means you should probably do it.

"This will be my biggest challenge to date as the shear distance in the open sea will be a huge challenge.

"To have to factor in waves and currents on top of the enormous challenge is quite scary.

"I always keep a good general level of fitness but this year I have hit the training hard since January - running, swimming, cycling and going to the gym regularly.

"I have run the Colchester Half Marathon this year and I am running the Halstead Marathon, which helps by getting the mind frame and discipline needed for such huge challenges on the mind and body.

"My swimming is going well having recently swum 2.5 miles in the pool, and my swim training will soon take me outside to Gosfield Lake, Boreham Lake and the Essex coast at Dovercourt where my training will continue.

"Having swum lake Coniston in the Lake District in 2014 where I swam all 5.25 miles in one go, I think this will also hold me in good stead."

"The Essex Air Ambulance is a fantastic charity that could help any one of us, and in turn need all the help they can get.

"I am confident I will finish - just about."

To sponsor him, visit justgiving.com/RM-GIBBENS1