A Biggin Hill woman and her little niece and nephew have done a Swimathon challenge for loved ones who have died from cancer.

Laura Horgan, 39, said she has lost “more than a fair few family and friends” to cancer and she wanted to raise money for Marie Curie and Cancer Research UK.

She asked her niece Bella, five, and nephew Fred, seven, if they wanted to help.

“Being the very lively pair they are they jumped at the chance,” she told News Shopper.

The trio swam 1500 metres at West Wickham Public Swimming Pool and raised £575 in the process.

Laura said: “I originally assumed I would be doing the bulk of the swimming being they are only seven and five but how wrong was I!

“We all did the same amount which was 16 lengths each of a 33 meter pool, taking it in turns two lengths at a time.

“It was wonderful to be able to do it with my niece and nephew and with all the family watching. We are very proud of ourselves.”

After the swim, Bella, who is a junior diver at Crystal Palace, said: “When aunty asked me if I wanted to do the Swimathon with her I was really excited as I love swimming and said yes straight away.

“I have been very sad this year as my great uncle Steve died of cancer so mummy and daddy had to explain all about it so me which made me upset.

“By doing the Swimathon it made me feel like I was helping people like Uncle Steve and I thought about him when I was doing it and it made me keep going.”

Little Fred said he was thinking about his uncle Steve when he took part in the challenge and is currently loving his regular swimming lessons.