Army veteran becomes first above-knee amputee to swim Lake Geneva

An Army veteran has become the first above-knee amputee to swim across the width of Lake Geneva and set a new record.

Steve White, who served in the Royal Green Jackets infantry regiment, lost his left leg following an injury during training.

He swam the nine-mile lake in Switzerland without a wetsuit in five hours and 19 minutes to claim the record and raise almost £3,000 for military charity Blesma, The Limbless Veterans charity.

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The 58-year-old, from Shotley, Suffolk, who trained for two years for the attempt, said he finds swimming liberating and does not feel disabled when in the water.

"I am able to compete alongside those that aren't disabled on equal terms, although I swim using only my arms.

"I was due to swim Lake Geneva last July but the flight cancellations that blighted the UK last summer stopped that.

"I'm relieved I've completed it as so many people sponsored the attempt, and I didn't want to let them down after having to cancel last year.

"The water quality in Lake Geneva was fantastic and mostly around 19°C apart from several cool patches where water runs off from mountains and glaciers and the temperature dips to 13°C."

Steve was also part of the first all-amputee team to swim the English Channel in 2014 and the first amputee to swim the two-mile Alcatraz Crossing in San Francisco Bay.

He went through more than 20 operations to save his leg but lost it above the knee in 2008, and became involved with Blesma, now serving as a trustee.

He added: "Blesma's work directly supports our members in so many ways and we are truly fortunate to have an organisation that is so focused on its mission and has the skills and resources to offer help and support.

"Blesma is awash with members who do the most amazing things and show what can be achieved."

Steve will be re-uniting with the cross-Channel team for a 10th anniversary attempt on the 21-mile England to France course in 2024.