THE father swimming the Channel for the hospice which cared for his late son will be leaving the shores of England tomorrow morning (Wednesday).

With all eyes on the weather forecast, Alan Gale, from Nunnery Wood, Worcester, has been patiently waiting in Folkestone for the best day to attempt the mammoth challenge.

Mr Gale decided to swim the English Channel in a bid to raise about £10,000 for Acorns Children's Hospice after his life-limited son Harry was cared for there.

He has already managed to raise £8,650 on the online donating website justgiving.com/Alan-Gale1.

Harry, who had complications of the heart and cerebral palsy, died in his father’s arms on August 17, 2007.

People can follow Mr Gale's progress throughout the day during the 16 hours plus swim by logging on to cspf.co.uk/tracking and looking for the white marker labelled Connemara.

The boat is set to depart Folkestone at about 5.30am and head for the departure point with Mr Gale expected to begin his swim from the designated beach at about 6.15am.

Throughout the day, the website will be regularly updated and people can follow how far he has left to swim.

After spending over a year training for the event, Mr Gale has spent the last few days going through a final check of his equipment, feeding drills and communication plans.

To sponsor Mr Gale or read his blog about preparing for the challenge, log on to algale.co.uk/channel-2014.html.