Two Hampshire workers have taken the plunge in the Solent to raise money for two nearby charities. 

Taylor Ward and Lorenzo Chicca, who both work for the broadband provider Toob, took to the water to raise funds for Solent Mind and The Rose Road Association.

The pair faced the 16.8-degree temperature as they swam a kilometre in just under 20 minutes on Saturday, September 21.

The swim, organised by The Rose Road Association, took place as part of the internationally renowned Southampton Boat Show, attracting a large audience to cheer on the hardy swimmers.

The annual event raises money for The Rose Road Association, a charity based in Southampton, providing support to young people with disabilities and their families.

Toob's participants were also raising money for Solent Mind, the local branch of the national mental health charity, Mind.

Based in Southampton and serving the Solent area, Solent Mind offers advocacy alongside mental health advice and services in the area.

Toob has a history of fundraising, including sponsorship of local firefighters Stuart Vince and Craig Sadler, who successfully rowed across the Atlantic Ocean to raise more than £16,000 for Solent Mind and The Fire Fighters Charity last year.

Solent Mind offers advocacy alongside mental health advice and services in the areaSolent Mind offers advocacy alongside mental health advice and services in the area (Image: Supplied)

After supporting Stuart and Craig’s Atlantic challenge, Toob CFO Mike Banwell and CEO Nick Parbutt were inspired to meet their own extreme challenges. Banwell completed the Jurassic Coast Walk, a timed 100km trek that took place over 30 hours.

Parbutt, meanwhile, braved a 100m abseil down the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth to encourage people to donate to Solent Mind.

Nick Parbutt, CEO, toob, said: "Congratulations to Taylor and Lorenzo on their superb achievement. toob has supported Solent Mind over the last few years and it is great that Taylor and Lorenzo have added the Rose Road Association to the community organisations that we support."

Chloe Atkins, head of fundraising, The Rose Road Association, added: "The money raised from this exciting ‘dip in the docks’ will help us deliver more emergency respite and support to families in crisis."