A LOVING great-grandson has pledged to make a big splash for cancer patients after the disease devastated his family.

When 11-year-old Connor Bowe saw how poorly cancer had made his great-grandad, Sidney Pritchard, he decided he wanted to make a difference.

So in a couple of months he will be pulling on his goggles and swimming a mammoth two-hour stretch to raise as much money as he can for Cancer Research.

Sidney (85), who lives at St Helens Lodge in Thatto Heath, has an incurable rare cancer multiple myeloma.

Mum, Jane Bowe (36), said: “Connor told me he wanted to do something to help people with cancer, so other families don’t have to go through what we are.

“He can swim for England and has won swimming galas before, so he suggested doing the sponsored swim.”

Jane, from St Helens, said: “When his great-granddad found out what Connor had planned he started crying and said he was so proud of him.

“It brings tears to my eyes too because I’m very proud of how much he cares about others.”

The Rainhill High pupil aims to swim as many lengths as possible in a two-hour period at Sutton High swimming pool. All are welcome to attend on July 1 from 7-9pm and support him in his challenge.

You can sponsor Connor via www.justgiving.com/connor-bowe