YOUNG swimmers went to great lengths for a good cause as they took part in a charity relay challenge at Tencreek Holiday Park.

The Team Looe swim saw an ‘elite’ group aged between 14-16 complete 21 miles between them – the equivalent of the English Channel distance.

While the older swimmers were in the water on and off all day, even the youngest beginners also arrived at various times to complete their own charity swims, with many pushing themselves to do a whole mile.

The event was organised by coach Mark Deacon following on from a 21-mile open water swimming challenge he did himself earlier this year for the MS Society and the Cornwall Wildlife Trust.

The two events have now raised £1,665 so far for the two charities, and Mark feels that it has been such as success, he’d like to make it an annual fixture.

All the youngsters who took part swim with Looe Swimming Club at Tencreek under the guidance of coach Mark and swimming teacher Rachael Young. The club has some 100 members of all ages from complete beginners to competition level standard.

“It all went very well, I’m incredibly proud of the standard of swimming and the commitment of the swimmers,” said Mark of the charity event.

“The older group, swimming on a rotation throughout the day and evening, managed to complete the 21-mile feat around an hour quicker than had been anticipated. Most of them did a staggering three miles each throughout the day, with only short breaks to rest and refuel between swims.

“The younger swimmers were equally impressive - the vast majority completed at least a mile each, many for the first time.

“A special thanks to Tencreek Holiday Park, who closed the pool for the day to facilitate the event, whilst also providing food and drinks from the on-site bar/restaurant and a static caravan for the day to allow the swimmers to rest and recuperate between swims.”