Susan Taylor got into “serious difficulties” in one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world as she approached France on Sunday.
The 34-year-old accountant from Barwell, Leics., undertook the challenge to raise money for Diabetes UK and Rainbows, an East Midlands children’s hospice.
She had previously completed several other open water challenges, swimming the length of Lake Coniston in the Lake District, swimming at the Olympic rowing venue and completing a relay swim across the English channel in the past year alone.
She predicted that her English Channel solo swim would be “tougher than Everest”, however.
After covering herself in goose fat in preparation for the ordeal, she set off at about 1am but became ill just a mile off the French coast.
"She was then air lifted by helicopter to a hospital in Boulonge. Susan tragically passed away.
"Thank you for your messages of support. Please respect the family's privacy whilst they come to terms with what has happened. If you would like to leave a sign of respect please feel free to donate to her fund raising page."
Susan was raising money for Diabetes UK and the Rainbows Children's Hospice in Loughborough.
A police source in Boulogne-sur-Mer said: "She was swimming from Britain, and was well-supported."
