Thirty Lewisham youngsters took part in a swimathon in memory of a Hither Green nine-year-old who died following an asthma attack.

Ella Kissi-Debrah, a keen swimmer and footballer from Holbeach Primary School, suffered from a rare respiratory condition and died in February 15 2013 following a particularly bad asthma attack.

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Since then her mum Rossy Debrah has set up a foundation in the youngster's honour and now holds an annual swimathon.

She explained: "Ella would have turned 11 on January 24 and I felt a fitting way to remember her every year would be to put on a swimathon as swimming meant so much to Ella. 

"The Bridge Leisure Centre where Ella swam every week were excellent hosts and closed the pool for this special event.

"Lianne Sanderson, the England and Arsenal footballer who is also the foundation's patron, was on hand to give out medals to the very excited and tired young people at the end."

For more on the foundation, visit the Ella Roberta Family Foundation Facebook page.