Matthew has not let his disabilities stop his love of sport

Matthew Rhodes, 30, from Brighton, was an army physical training instructor in his 20s before a motorbike accident changed his life forever.

He lost 50% of his vision and can no longer move his right arm or leg.

It is expected to take Mr Rhodes an hour and a half to complete the 1km swim on Saturday.

Abseiling down a cliff is much more fun now I've got one arm and one leg Matthew Rhodes

Mr Rhodes has refused to let his accident put an end to his sporting ambitions.

Since it happened he has been scuba diving in the Red Sea, parascending, abseiling and has entered international horse riding competitions.

Mr Rhodes said: "Abseiling down a cliff is much more fun now I've got one arm and one leg.

"It's a lot more fun than two arms and two legs because it's too easy then."

Mr Rhodes is raising money for St Dunstan's home for the blind which was built to provide rehabilitation for ex-servicemen.

The centre provides residential care, holidays and respite services to patients and is where Mr Rhodes has been training for his swim.