A BASINGSTOKE surveyor made a big splash when he took part in a charity swim. Aaron Caplen, who works in the commercial department at Miller Homes, at Faraday Office Park, Basingstoke, raised more than £1,000 for British Blind Sport.

Aaron was among 10 friends who swam from Fort Gilkicker in Gosport to the Isle of Wight’s Ryde Beach, who took part in the charity swim, accompanied by kayakers, support Ribs and a mother boat organised by Portsmouth Lifeguard.

Aaron said: “Health and safety is extremely important in events likes this and we are very grateful for all the help and support we were given.

“What started out as an idea in the pub over a drink, turned into some hard training, a fantastic feeling of achievement and most importantly of all, some signifi-cant sums of money raised for various charities.”

All the swimmers completed the two-and- a-half mile swim in under hours and all choose their own particular charities to support.

“The conditions were not too bad and we were able to encourage each other along the way. It was great that we all managed to finish,” said Aaron.