A teacher will become only the second woman in the world to attempt a daunting challenge off the Kent coast this summer.

Jess Laurent, 34, will need all the courage and stamina she can muster when she plunges into the Thames Estuary from an abandoned Second World War sea fort, off Whitstable.

In August, the Folkestone resident aims to swim eight miles back to shore, navigating the tides, wind farms and choppy waters - all for a cause very close to her heart.

Jess, who teaches science and practical horticulture at Folkestone Academy, will be raising money for Aspire, a charity which supports victims of spinal cord injury.

“I have friends who have suffered such injuries from skiing and rugby accidents and it’s devastating for them,” said Jess.

“Aspire helps with things like adaptations to homes to make life a bit easier for them.”

The teacher is no stranger to open water swimming and was part of a relay team to swim the English Channel in 2023, again for Aspire.

However, she says her latest challenge to swim from the Maunsell Forts - also known as the Red Sands Forts - to Whitstable beach will be her longest swim and physically more demanding due to the tides and choppiness of the estuary.

Organised by Aspire under Channel swimming regulations, only a handful of swimmers have so far completed the Red Sands Swim, which began last year when Dan Brown became the first person to complete the challenge.

Jess has switched her focus from rugby to swimming in recent years and has been training in the pool during the winter.

“Now it’s warming up a bit, I’m planning to get back into the sea very soon to build up my strength and stamina for the open water which is very different.

Jess has set herself a target to raise £2,000 through her JustGiving page.