A TEACHER will be taking the plunge when he attempts to swim two miles in Lake Windermere for a charity to help young people and their families.

Stockton Riverside College Bede Sixth Form’s Richard Marriott will be competing with 10,000 other plucky entrants at this weekend’s Great North Swim at the Lake District National Park.

The English Literature teacher based in Billingham is raising money for the If U Care Share Foundation, a Durham-based charity promoting emotional wellbeing in young people and supporting families affected by suicide.

The father-of-four and granddad-of-two, who is a keen swimmer, is confident he will finish Europe’s biggest open water swim.

“This seemed like a good way to raise money and awareness of what is a very worthy cause,” he said.

The charity was set up in memory of Daniel O’Hare who took his own life at the age of 19 despite having no known mental health problems.

Mr Marriott said: “As a teacher for 30 years I have become increasingly aware of the stresses young people can suffer.

“A lot of people suffer with stress. This is a valuable charity, working with families in the North-East to try and help prevent other families suffering a similar experience.”

Donations for Mr Marriott can be made at https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/richardmarriott