A fundraising father will swim across the Channel and back again this week in a bid to raise money to fight kidney disease – and will be just the 25th person in 50 years to make the double crossing if he succeeds.

Michael Brennan, 32, from Streatham Hill, plans to set off from Dover in the early hours of Thursday and swim 22 miles to Cap Gris-Nez in France – then back again.

Mr Brennan, who said the challenge would take between 20 to 24 hours, has raised about £18,500 for the task with money going to support research into kidney disease, which affects his children Amelie, five, and Ciaran, three.

He said: "I have been looking for something to do to raise money for research because my family suffer from kidney disease.

“As part of that I want to take the opportunity to raise awareness about organ donation."

He added that it was also a personal challenge.

He said: "It’s an iconic event and for those who are successful it’s a tremendous achievement.

"If I am successful I will be the 25th person in 50 years to make the double crossing."

Mr Brennan said he feels prepared after training at Crystal Palace four times a week and at Dover at weekends.

But he said being able to complete the swim depended on the weather.

He said: "We have done everything in our power to be successful."

Visit kidneysplash.com to donate.