A FATHER'S tragic death in the night has spurred on two friends to embark upon an epic swim.

Next Wednesday will see Katerina Mackaness and Martha Doyne take the plunge to swim and kayak the 90-mile length of the River Eden, from Hell Gill Force south of Kirkby Stephen to where it joins the River Esk near the mouth of the Solway Forth.

The 19-year-olds are swimming in memory of Katerina's father, Jamie, who died last November from a heart attack.

They have been training all year for their nine-day-long adventure, ahead of pursuing their studies at Edinburgh University this autumn - religion and theology for Martha, and Latin and Greek for Katerina.

Their inspiration is the "Wild Swimming Brothers" - Jack, Calum and Robbie Hudson - who were the first to swim the Eden's length in August 2015.

Martha, of Newbury, and Katerina, who lives in Dorset, have already raised £6,895 of their £10,000 target for the youth charity Seeds4Success, a cause that was close to the heart of Katerina's late father.

Katerina told the Gazette she and Martha were "so grateful" for all the generosity. She said they were feeling "very excited but, of course, apprehensive" ahead of their challenge. The girls' mums Mary Anne and Lisa will be their support crew, travelling alongside them and cooking meals in an RV motorhome.

Katerina said: "We both discussed doing this swim a few years ago after Tim Doyne, Martha’s father, mentioned that these three "Wild Swimming Brothers" swam the River Eden, and that with our love of swimming we might be inspired to do it.

"Our busy lives got in the way and we sadly never ended up doing it. We spoke to Jamie. my father, about it too who was very encouraging and enthusiastic about the idea.

"As my dad was so into his sport and always on for a new challenge we are doing this swim in his memory and I hope to make him proud."

If you would like to donate, visit https://localgiving.org/riveredenswim