A POPULAR Hampshire weather presenter will be embracing the cold sea and swimming across the English Channel for charity.

Former BBC weather presenter Georgie Palmer is set to take on a 36km swim in June.

She will be part of a relay team of six brave swimmers taking the plunge for a good cause.

The 41-year-old who worked as a BBC South weather anchor and entertainment reporter from 2006 to 2012 is doing the challenge to raise funds for St Raphael’s Hospice in London.

The cause is close to her heart as her mother Alison Palmer was cared for by the hospice before her death at the age of 72, last August.

Georgie, who now works as a freelance broadcasting presenter, said: “I feel it is the best way I can raise money for the hospice in memory of mum to say thanks for the care she received.

“I am only one small person but I want to raise awareness of what hospices do.”

Ahead of the swim, Georgie has been training at the lake at Lakeside Country Park, and is a keen open water swimmer.

Georgie added: “I have always loved swimming and if I see water I want to jump in it. I have been known to do that and I have always loved swimming in the sea.”

She said her love for the open water started when she swam in the Irish Sea as a child.

“Despite my short little legs, I am blessed with rather big, wide feet (like built-in flippers, jolly handy) so swimming is something that comes more easily to me than other sports and I think this is the best way possible that I can raise money to say thank you to St Raphael’s in mum’s memory,” said Georgie.

She is doing the swim with fellow swinners Tim Vallings, Will Deer, Kerry Swanton, Al Doodson and Jeremy Whetter.

To sponsor Georgie visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=GeorgieSollom&pageUrl=3

Each member of the team will swim for an hour before resting for five, and will cover 6km each.

They will also not be doing it in wetsuits because Channel Swimming Association does not allow them.