Actor David Walliams today finished his 140-mile swim (225km) of the River Tames, raising more than one million pounds ($1.58 million) for the charity Sport Relief during this eight-day challenge. In unusual cold, windy and rainy conditions (even in British standards), enduring a serious stomach upset and severe exhaustion, while still managing stuff like rescuing a drowning Labrador. Read more for instance here on the BBC and the Guardian.

“I was hit by rowing boat oars, attacked by swans and got covered in insect bites from all the bugs that live in the weeds. It was also very, very cold,” he said before embarking on the charity swim.

Comedian David Walliams is now on the final day of his epic swim along 140 miles of the Thames, that started last Monday. He has battled a bout of “Thames Tummy”, ignored sewage warnings and even rescued a dog, while raising now very close to £1million “for street kids like Phillip“. What a hero, read his swimming diary here, and sponsor him here on Sport Relief.