A BOY is appealing for sponsorship money as he swims the equivalent of the English Channel to raise money for charity.

Gregory Birchenough has signed up to swim 22 miles in order to help raise in excess of £500,000 for ASPIRE, one of the UK's leading spinal injury charities.

From Monday, September 17, Gregory, of Huntington Drive, Darwen, will start his challenge, which must be completed within 12 weeks. He will swim the distance in his local swimming pools, at Daisyfield Swimming Pool and Shadsworth Leisure Centre.

A pupil at Holy Trinity Primary School, Darwen, Gregory will be training three times per week in the run-up to the event.

For 12 weeks swimming pools across the country will open their doors to hundreds of swimmers who are embarking on the epic swimming challenge..

If readers would like to sponsor Gregory please contact the Swimming Development Office on 01254 662619.