A DETERMINED nine-year-old is smashing a sponsored swim and raising hundreds of pounds for charity.
Thea Hughes, from Newton-le-Willows, joined the 8km swim challenge on March 1, which will raise vital funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital.
But before she had even swum a stroke, she increased her target of 330 lengths to 500 lengths aiming to swim 12.5km this month.
The kind-hearted youngster is completing the challenge at Newton-le-Willows Health and Fitness as she is a member of the amateur swimming club.
Earlier this week, Thea, who is in year five at St Mary’s Catholic Junior School in Newton-le-Willows, smashed through her initial target of 330 lengths – 8km – and is currently on 376 lengths with 124 to go to reach 500 – 12.5km.
Mum Ann-Marie said: “She’s just smashed through her required lengths of 330 and is on 376 with a 124 to go to reach her 500-length target.
“So far, she’s raised £690 with two more swimming sessions to go due to leisure centre being closed on Good Friday.
“She’s loved every second of it and apart from being poorly last week she’s taken it all in her stride and only missed one session as she wasn’t well.
“She’s definitely on target to reach 500 lengths by the end of the month!”
Thea is no stranger to swimming long distances having completed 118 lengths in just 60 minutes at the club’s long distance swim event earlier this year.
She also took first place in the backstroke, butterfly, freestyle, breaststroke and medley in the girls nine and under category at the club swimming gala.
Thea has done charity fundraising in the past, collecting money for The Cystic Fibrosis Trust by completing the Ormskirk 3km fun run at Edge Hill University for the past three years.
Thea and her sister Izzy completed the Ormskirk 3km at Edge Hill University
Ann-Marie said: “This year, Thea came third in the U16s and fifth in the whole race, receiving her medal from the mayor.
“Thea lives and breathe sport and fitness.
“If she’s not running, circuit training, swimming or football training then she’s not happy!
“She’s now decided she would like to learn to roller-skate and is determined to master it by attending beginners classes at Wigan Roller Rink.”
Thea plays for Vulcan Juniors FC and plays for the Wildcats U11s each Sunday having stepped up an age category and she has just signed for Huyton Girls U11s.
Ann-Marie said: “Thea always puts her heart and soul into everything she does and gives 100 per cent in everything that she commits to.
“We had no doubt that she would give her all to this charity fundraiser and we are immensely proud of her, as always.
“Thea is an inspirational role model to her younger sister Izzy, who is now following in her footsteps with football and fitness.”
Click here to donate to Thea’s fundraising page.
Thea is an avid footballer
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