A young swimmer from Bridgwater has completed a 1.5km fundraising swim – despite fracturing his arm in the process.

Charlie, aged 11, completed his swim at the Burnham-on-Sea Swim & Sports Academy on April 28 in 55 minutes and five seconds.

The Puriton Primary School pupil's challenge was in aid of Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie.

Both these charities are very close to his and his family’s hearts after losing family members to cancer.

Not one to shy away from a challenge, Charlie completed an additional four lengths, bringing his swim to a total of 64 lengths in the 25m pool, and surpassing a mile of swimming in under an hour.

Charlie said: "I'm really proud of myself for having perseverance and determination and not giving up and really pushing myself.

"I was the only one left in the swimming pool last Tuesday night when doing a practice run of the 1.5K as everyone else had got out and gone!

"But today I did the entire Swimathon of 60 lengths in less than an hour and I've got my certificate, swim hat and medal for completing the 1.5K Swimathon and for the first time at 11 years old I'm happy, and most importantly I managed to raise over £100 which I'm incredibly pleased about."

Bridgwater Mercury:

The young swimmer's mother, Joanna Boyd expressed her pride: "He's been training hard and trying his best to raise as much money as possible for these incredible charities.

"Sadly, he banged his arm on the wall of the pool - but continued to the end in excruciating pain in his wrist as he wanted to make sure he completed it.

"But after 5hrs in Taunton Musgrove hospital and having an x-ray until 3am, he has fractured his wrist and now in a plastercast!"

Charlie aims to raise more funds through his JustGiving page, kept open until May 5, 2024.

Bridgwater Mercury:

Despite his trials though, he remains resilient.

Ms Boyd added: "He insisted he wouldn't allow his heart murmur and other conditions to hold him back and prevent him from doing things in his life.

"He's never done any kind of competitive swimming before but loves being in the water".

Charlie had been attending swimming lessons at Burnham On Sea Swim & Sports Academy since he was six years old.

For Charlie, it's not just about achieving a personal goal, but contributing to a cause that's close to his heart.

If you wish to donate to Charlie's fundraiser, or for more information, visit the Just Giving page via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/charlieanslow-boyd.