Holly aiming to swim from N. Ireland to Scots village

A WOMAN is planning to swim from Northern Ireland to Scotland to raise money for whales and dolphins.

- By Mike Merritt

Wild swimmer Holly Monson is preparing to take on the challenge of a lifetime.

In July, Holly will try to swim the 21.4 mile stretch from Donaghadee, County Down, to Portpatrick, Wigtownshire.

The epic crossing is expected to take approximately 14 hours in open water, where she will battle the elements, strong tidal currents, lion's mane jellyfish and the ever-present chill of the North Channel.

Holly, a member of the Donaghadee Chunky Dunkers, is raising funds for the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) and the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG).