AFTER climbing Everest and swimming the English Channel, a 40-year-old man has set his sights on swimming 13 lakes in the Lake District in one continuous effort.

Today (Thursday, August 22, 2019) marks the start of Matt Williams' ten-day, 45-mile cold-water swim, which will see him hike 100 miles between the lakes and climb Scafell Pike, Helvellyn and Scafell.

The renewable energy project builder from Manchester will be camping and sleeping in guesthouses en route, accompanied by his wife, dog, friends and family.

Weather permitting, Matt plans to finish with the Chillswim Coniston on Saturday, August 31, and the Windermere One Way Swim on Sunday, September 1.

In 2010 Matt became the fourth person ever, and the first Englishman, to complete the “Peak and Pond” challenge of climbing Everest (2008) and swimming the English Channel (2010).

Last year he climbed the world's fourth highest mountain, (Lhotse, and he won a silver medal at the triathlon amateur world championships in 2014.

In the Lakes tradition of naming events after people - from the Bob Graham Round to the Fred Whitton sportive - Matt has named his route the "Lucy Westley" after his sister. The 38-year-old mum of two was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last year, and Matt is raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support at her request, to say thank you for the charity's help to her and her family.

Matt's itinerary will take in 13 lowland lakes more than half a mile long - Windermere, Ullswater, Coniston Water, Bassenthwaite Lake, Wastwater, Derwentwater, Crummock Water, Buttermere, Loweswater, Grasmere, Rydal Water, Elterwater and Brotherswater.

There will be 45 miles of cold water swimming in total - more than twice the width of the English Channel.

As Matt explained: "We have not included any reservoirs or private lakes, eg Esthwaite Water, where swimming is not permitted. We have also not included any of the numerous upland tarns and waters , although if we go past any we may well end up going in them for a dip."

To donate, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MattWilliamsDoesSomeStuff

You can also follow Matt's progress at facebook.com/swimmingthelakes) and through his Instagram account @peakandpond