Birmingham heart charity swims the length of the English Channel 25 times

Little Hearts Matter, a small but national charity that supports families when a child is diagnosed with half a working heart, set up a swimming fundraiser with hopes that collectively their fundraisers would be able to swim the length of the English Channel.

However, their target was more than just achieved – it was smashed 25 times over after fundraisers totalled 563 miles: equal to swimming the English Channel 25 times!

Fundraisers headed to their local pools and swam as many lengths as they could over the months of June – August.

Some of the sensational swimmers included children as young as 10 years old, who swum the distance of the English Channel all by themselves.

Jemima Robinson, a 10 year old fundraiser who participated in the swimathon to raise funds for Little Hearts Matter, said: "The swimathon was hard work and at times I didn't think I could do the whole distance by myself but I had to remember Little Hearts Matter and all the people who were sponsoring me. I am proud to have taken part and raised so much money and let people know about Little Hearts Matter and children with half a heart."

Suzie Hutchinson, Chief Executive of Little Hearts Matter said: "The LHM team are blown away by the number of miles our swimmers have swum over the summer and the amazing fundraising they have done on our behalf. Little Hearts Matter relies on the generosity of others to maintain our support services, these amazing swimmers have all gone that extra mile to help us support others. Thank you all so much."