A few lengths of a swimming pool can be a struggle for many, let alone crossing the English Channel.

But one remarkable woman has just become the first person to swim the body of water with a complete spinal injury without a wetsuit.

Paula Craig MBE, 59, was knocked off her bike and left paralysed from the waist down 21 years ago.

She is a retired police officer and marathon runner from Fishguard, Wales and took part in the relay swim to raise money for the charity Aspire – a spinal injury charity.

At 2.48am last Thursday, Paula set off with six other swimmers, helping them cover the 21-mile crossing in 14 hours and three minutes.

Each swimmer went an hour in rotation until they arrived in France, with Paula taking on two hour-long swims.

A complete spinal cord injury is where an individual has permanent damage to their spinal cord.

Paula said: ‘I support Aspire whenever I can because the charity is the reason I am where I am today, in terms of both my physical and mental wellbeing.

‘Their support since I was paralysed by a spinal cord injury has included providing me with accessible accommodation after my discharge from hospital which enabled me to return to work within a year of my accident.

‘I’m exhausted but relieved and excited that we made it to France.

‘The rest of the team were incredible, supporting me all the way and helping me get back onto the boat after my swims.’

The other members of the team were Katy Bradfield, Emma White, Simon Elwell, Katy Bradfield, Paul Parrish and Marc Gledhill, with Tessa McLean as the boat leader.

Paul Parrish, Aspire’s fundraising director and one of Paula’s team members, said: ‘She has a T12 full spinal break so her legs should drag in the water, but she somehow manages to use her core strength to prevent this and is able to swim long distances without them sinking.

‘That is remarkable, but it’s her bravery that always stands out.’

In 2002, Paula was the first woman to complete the London wheelchair marathon less than a year after her accident.

She also completed as a wheelchair tri-athlete at an international level.

Paula was made an MBE in 2005 for Services to the Police in the New Year Honour’s List.

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