Barleythorpe schoolgirl's channel swim for people in need

A schoolgirl is following in the footsteps of her idol by attempting to swim 22 miles.

Maria Alam, of Barleythorpe, is tackling the Aspire Channel Swim 2018 in support of people with spinal chord injuries. She hopes to clock up 22 miles - the equivalent of the English Channel - within 12 weeks.

Maria said: “After David Walliams, my all time favourite author and comedian, swam the channel, I wanted to have a go. When my mum saw a leaflet at our local swimming pool I thought it was impossible for me to achieve that much, but I remembered nothing is impossible if you just give it a go.”

The 11-year-old has always been a keen swimmer but gave it up two years ago to pursue other sporting interests. Six months ago she started to suffer joint pains so was advised to give up impact sports and return to swimming.

Since starting the channel challenge she has been swimming up to 100 lengths each session. She has until December 3 to complete the challenge.

Proud mum Olga said: “She has embraced the challenge wholeheartedly and absolutely loves the fact that she is doing it for a good cause.”

Sponsorship goes to Aspire. Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/maria-alam-2018-channel-swim-32869