East Ilsley boy has splashing time raising funds for dad

Six-year-old and friends in muscular dystrophy fundrasier

A SIX-YEAR-OLD from East Ilsley has made a real splash after raising almost £2,000 through a charity swim.

Keen swimmer Johnny Kaye decided he wanted to raise funds for charity in support of his father Pete, who has muscular dystrophy.

And so the determined youngster, along with five of his friends, swam a collective mile at the Hilton Newbury North pool, raising £1948.39 for the charity Muscular Dystrophy UK.

The six friends, who include Johnny’s three-year-old sister Verity, completed the swim as part of the Move a Mile for Muscles fundraising challenge. Johnny’s mo-ther, Clare Portman, said that, even after swimming a total of 138 lengths over 45 minutes, the group were having such a great time that they didn’t want to get out of the water.

“They absolutely loved it,” she said. When they finished they asked ‘Do we have to get out?’ I thought they’d be exhausted but they wanted to stay in the pool.

“I’m so proud.

“They did the last lap together and it’s such an important cause and very close to our hearts, so it was very emotional for all of us.”

Ms Portman had explained how Johnny, a pupil at The Ilsleys Primary School, had asked if he could take part in a fundraiser for his father after watching Sport Relief.

The funds will go towards funding research into the life-limiting condition.

And, after raising such a fantastic amount, the fund-raiser may become a regular occurrence.

“I was hoping to raise £250 when we first started so it’s an amazing amount,” said Ms Portman.

“I think they really enjoyed it so it might be something we look at doing again next year.”

To sponsor Johnny, visit https://www.justgiving.com /fundraising/muscles-swim