AN 11-year-old girl from near Bridgwater in Somerset has raised more than £1,800 for a lung cancer charity by participating in a swimming challenge this month.

Esme Loveridge, from Cannington, decided to take part in the iconic Swim the Distance Challenge run by the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. The challenge sees swimmers of all ages and abilities swim a certain distance – up to 20 miles - throughout the month of November.

For Esme, the challenge was to swim ten miles within the month, which she achieved within just 18 days. So far, the 11-year-old has raised more than £1,800 and is hoping to reach her fundraising target of £2,000. You can read more about the fundraiser by visiting: https://bit.ly/4hTwMiy

Bryony Loveridge said: “The main reason she picked this charity is because we lost our wonderful Auntie Fi and Uncle John to this horrible disease, and she wanted to do something to honour them.”

Esme currently swims with Bridgwater Academy Swim Club, who Bryony says have “all been so supportive and encouraging.”

It’s not the first time Esme has taken part in the Swim the Distance challenge, which she first completed in 2022, swimming five miles in a month at just the age of nine. Esme completed this challenge in 20 days and raised nearly £1,400 for the charity.

Next year’s challenge might see Esme increase her swimming to the maximum of 20 miles.

The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation is the leading UK lung cancer charity dedicated to helping everyone affected by the disease.

Since 1990, when the charity was set up by Professor Ray Donnelly, it has funded millions of pounds of essential lung cancer research, looking for ways to detect the disease as early as possible and save lives.

Those who complete the Swim the Distance Challenge can win prizes for participating, including a medal for those who raise £100.