"I was just in disbelief even though I knew that I was standing there with French sand in between my toes, my support swimmer Ryan [Ainley] alongside me,'' Mr Stephan said.

"Then [I] was given the Australian and Assyrian flags to put proudly put around my shoulders [and] turning back to look at the boat and hearing the official observer blow her whistle to signal the completion of the swim.

"Captain Andy also ecstatically blew the fog horn in case I hadn't heard the whistle.

"Back on the boat, I could not but hug everyone in elation before taking a seat with my head in my hands trying to absorb the moment as it slowly sunk it that the swim was finished.''

Mr Stephan said the 35-kilometre swim was difficult because of the tidal conditions.

"I thank the Lord that he granted me great [weather] conditions on the day.

"It was perfect and the final thing that I needed after he had helped me all along the two years of preparation.''

Afterwards, he celebrated his achievement with his family, including cousin Mark who inspired Mr Stephan to swim the English Channel. The holiday park where he was staying in Dover flew the Australian flag in recognition of the crossing.

Mr Stephan thanked the public for messages of support left on his website. He will return to Australia next month following stops in Munich and London.

Mr Stephan swam the English Channel to raise money for the oncology ward at the Children's Hospital at Westmead and his charity is taking donations to reach the $250,000 target.

Details: www.channelcrossingforlife.com