Bruce Yang the first with autism to swim Channel, from Dover to Wissant, in relay
14:14, 28 September 2018
updated: 10:28, 04 October 2018
A man has become first person with autism to successfully swim the Channel.
Bruce Yang, 24, left Samphire Hoe at Dover on Monday morning as part of a relay team of six.
They arrived at Wissant beach near Calais in 13 hours and 21 minutes later.
Each person swam for one hour at a time with Mr Yang totalling the highest number of hours, three.
With Mr Yang were Kris Twyman and Bryn Limbrick from Deal, Tony King from St. Margaret's-at-Cliffe, Dave Chisholm from Eastry and Sallie Cheung from Gloucestershire.
Mr Yang, who has high functioning autism, explained on his JustGiving page: "My autism holds me back in some ways but not when it comes to achieving big things.
"I decided to prove to the world that someone with autism can achieve anything.
"I want to inspire neurotypical people and those with physical or mental disabilities alike to push themselves to do great things."
Mr Yang, from Tottenham in north London, made history after he had trained for three years under the guidance of Dover-based coach Loretta Cox.
Mr King said: "Bruce is living proof that anything is possible if you have the will to succeed."
Mr Chisholm said; "It’s wonderful to be part of this determined young man’s huge achievement."
Mr Yang took on the challenge so that people will appreciate what autistic people can achieve.
His mother Julia said "It is a great achievement for anyone but with autism, anxiety, ADHD or a bi polar condition, it is doubly hard. We are all so proud of him.”
Ms Cox said “After years of work, and monumental effort from the relay team around Bruce, this young man has achieved his goal.”
The team were taken back to Dover, to the Marina, by boat that same day.
It also wishes to thank Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation boat pilot Simon Ellis from Ramsgate who guided the team safely through the night and across the busiest shipping lanes in the world.
Mr Chisholm, Mr Lembrick and Mr Twyman are members of the Kingsdown Crawlers swimming group.
Mr Yang is raising money for BBC Children in Need whose telethon appeal is on November 16.
By today he reached £4,265.90, 85% of his target.
Donations can still be made at justgiving.com/bruce-yang1
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