Ewen MacKenzie from Culbokie decided to sign up for a marathon sponsored swim to raise money for Aspire, a spinal cord injuries charity, after he spotted a poster for the event during a trip to Dingwall Leisure Centre.

Ewen, a first-year pupil at Fortrose Academy, has already clocked up 84 lengths at the Dingwall pool in a few weeks – including 34 in one session last Saturday.

Now the determined boy has got a month to swim the remaining 400-plus lengths for a December 7 deadline.

He has already gathered £100 sponsorship from friends and neighbours.

His mother Joan, who suffers from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, is extremely proud that her son has decided to help raise money for others and has arranged it all himself.

She said her son, the middle of her three children, is very aware of her illness and is always willing to help around the house by cleaning his room, making a cup of tea and helping with the washing.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is an inherited disorder of nerves that causes a loss of muscle tissue and touch sensation and has left Joan unable to walk or stand up without the aid of a walking stick. She has also undergone tendon implants.

Joan MacKenzie gets a hug from her son Ewen (12) as she sponsors him to take part in his marathon swim.

"I am really proud of him. He has decided to do this himself and he is determined to do it," she said.

Mrs MacKenzie has been living with the debilitating effects of the illness since she was 18 and it has also left her mother house-bound.

The Aspire charity is challenging fundraisers to swim the distance of the English channel – 22 miles – in their local pool over a 12-week period to raise money for people with spinal cord injuries.

Although the distance is the equivalent of 1,416 lengths of the 25-metre Dingwall pool, the charity has suggested that due to his young age Ewen should aim to complete 500.

All the money raised will go towards helping people with spinal cord injuries enjoy more choice, opportunity and independence.

Anyone wishing to donate or sponsor Ewen or the charity should contact www.aspire.org.uk/channelswim

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