OLYMPIC swimmer Rebecca Adlington expressed her admiration at the efforts of a seven-year-old boy who swam a mile in February to help a good cause.
William Jenkins, from Rainhill, had only just turned seven years old when he decided, that he wanted to raise money to help the Alzheimer’s Society.
His grandmother Christine, ‘Nanny Chrissy’, who is 67, was diagnosed in 2019.
The St Ann’s Primary School pupil William wanted to do his bit to help scientists develop a medicine to one day cure the illness.
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William completed his epic challenge to swim a mile, which is 201 widths of his swimming club’s pool, during the month of February.
William, who has a younger brother James, four, undertook the challenge at Star Swimming Academy in Liverpool.
The seven-year-old was cheered over the finishing line as he completed his mile by a group of friends and family, including parents Lynsey and dad Neil, who own electrical contracting business Jenkins Electrical.
His swimming teachers and schoolteacher at St Ann’s Beth Hull and head teacher Laura Rynn were among those to watch William’s final swim.
In her video, Rebecca Adlington, who won two gold medals at the 2008 Olympics, said: “I am an Olympic medallist swimmer but I definitely couldn’t have even swam anywhere near close to one mile when I was your age at seven so I want to say a huge congratulations to you first on that amazing achievement.
“It must have been super hard but hopefully you loved it and had lots of fun, it shows that you are definitely a little fish and a little superstar and more importantly to raise the amount of money that you have for the Alzheimer’s Society and for your nanny is just absolutely incredible. It’s a mind-blowing amount and will do so much good and it’s such an amazing cause so, not just from myself but everybody that has supported you, just a huge thank you.
“What a little superstar you are, absolutely fantastic, so keep up the amazing work, I’m sure you’ll have bigger challenges in the future and I’m sure you’ll raise even more money in the future too but this was absolutely incredible, especially at the age of seven, to be swimming one mile. Massive congratulations and all the very best.”
William’s mum Lynsey said: “We are so incredibly proud of what William has achieved.
“At seven years old I can’t believe how he has challenged himself. He does not even realise what a phenomenal thing is he has done.
“We are all so overwhelmed at the support from everyone and all the donations. We cannot thank everyone enough for supporting our boy.”
His efforts have seen William raise more than £2,000 so far.
William added: “I am proud of myself. I just wanted to help. I can’t believe how much has been raised so far.”
See William's donation page at: bit.ly/362P80b
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