A CLEVEDON teenager is to be the youngest ever to swim the channel for charity. Gary Carpenter, aged 16, is to swim from Penarth

A CLEVEDON teenager is to be the youngest ever to swim the channel for charity.Gary Carpenter, aged 16, is to swim from Penarth to Clevedon to raise money for Children's Hospice South West (CHSW).It is hoped the swim will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, depending on the weather.Gary said: "I decided to swim the Bristol Channel last August after completing the English Channel as a relay."I felt that I needed another challenge and wanted another way of raising much needed money for CHSW." Gary (pictured right) has been training by swimming each day and has competed in a number of competitions including the World Youth Friendship Games in Holland.Gary has been raising money for CHSW for several years, starting when he was part of a young relay team, swimming the English Channel.His father Paul has also raised money over many years through his annual events including the Babeathon sponsored swim in Clevedon.Gary said: "It would be great if people wanted to come to support me on the day and to cheer me on at the finish. "Volunteers from the Clevedon friends of CHSW will be collecting at the Clevedon Bandstand on August 25 and I would urge everyone to come along if they can."Anyone wanting to support Gary's fund-raising swim can send a donation to CHSW, Charlton Farm, Charlton Drive, Wraxall, Bristol, BS49 1PE made out to CHSW or log onto www.justgiving.com/garyschannelswim