COWBOYS and cowgirls from Inverclyde Masters Swimming Club are set to make a splash in support a good cause.

The local club's members are aiming to collectively swim the length of the English Channel at Gourock Outdoor Pool to raise cash for Ardgowan Hospice.

And to spice things up the club have added a special western twist to their fundraiser.

Those taking part in the swim on Saturday, September 28 will have to complete their lengths while wearing a cowboy hat, with country music blaring in the background.

READ MORE: Son raises cash for Ardgowan Hospice in memory of mum

Club coach Mark Ingram said the group had been keen to support the hospice and wanted to do something different to make it a bit more interesting.

(Image: Alex Craig)

He added: “Instead of doing a normal sponsored run, or swim as it would be for us, we decided we'd put a wee twist on it and made it a kind of rodeo-style thing.

“The idea is we’re all going to wear cowboy hats and have to swim with our heads above the water which is a little bit more difficult.

“We’ve got an hour and a half to swim it, and the good people of Inverclyde Leisure will be playing country music for us.

“It’ll be a wee bit of Dolly Parton and Kenny Rodgers. I’m a country fan thankfully, I don’t know how I’d have got on if it was heavy rock!

“We’re going to try and cover the length of the English Channel, which is 21 miles, collectively."

The club’s donation drive has already brought in more than £800, which is far in excess of the target they originally set.

Mark told the Tele: “We just thought if we could raise a couple of hundred pounds for Ardgowan Hospice that’d be good, but we’ve shot by that.

“I’ve just recently taken over as the coach and I thought it’d be good for us as a club to do something for the community and give back.

“Everybody is going to be looking forward to it, and they’ll be bringing pancakes and cakes down afterwards.

“A lot of my swimmers have said they’ve benefitted from Ardgowan Hospice and said how great it is.

“We’ve got about 25 to 30 swimmers but we do have space if anyone wants to come along and take part.

“They can put a donation in and it’ll go straight to the hospice.

“We’ve been training really hard at the moment. Come the end of September that’ll be the end of our summer season, so this will give us the chance to unwind at the end of that.”

Those wishing to donate to the club's fundraiser can do so at https://tinyurl.com/swimmerfundraiser.