Teenage Swim Sensation Prisha Tapre Conquers English Channel for Childhood Hunger Charity

Prisha Tapre, a 16-year-old British Indian schoolgirl, became one of the youngest to swim across the English Channel, raising GBP 3,700 for Akshaya Patra UK, a charity fighting childhood hunger in India and the UK. Inspired by a family discussion, she completed the 34-kilometre swim after four years of training.

In a stunning feat of endurance, 16-year-old British Indian student Prisha Tapre has swum across the English Channel to raise funds for Akshaya Patra UK, a charity combating childhood hunger in India and the UK. The challenge, inspired by a family conversation and completed after four years of training, saw Tapre crossing from Dover to Cap Gris Nez in 11 hours and 48 minutes.

"It was quite choppy at the start, but when the sun started to rise, I knew that the worst bit was done with," Tapre recounted from her home in Watford, Hertfordshire. Her experience included battling through drowsiness and finding unexpected solace in jellyfish stings, which she described as a welcome reminder of her aliveness.

With a selfless focus on her mission, Tapre overcame thoughts of giving up. Raising GBP 3,700 for Akshaya Patra, she expressed a personal connection to the charity's mission of aiding children in both England and India. Now entering a new school term, Tapre remains committed to swimming and plans to take on bigger challenges in the future.

(With inputs from agencies.)