A KIND-HEARTED Weymouth youngster has raised almost £2,000 for breast cancer ahead of a challenging charity swim.

Twelve-year-old Sophie Moore, who is in Year Eight at Budmouth College, is set to swim 22 miles tomorrow to help people with breast cancer.

She decided to swim the distance of the English Channel after a close relative was diagnosed recently and has raised a total of £1,923 so far.

Sophie said: “I found out someone very special to me had been diagnosed with breast cancer and I wanted to do something about it.

“I’m delighted to have raised almost £2,000 and want to thank everyone that has donated so far. I also want to thank my swimming teachers and all my friends and family. The money raised will go to help other people and that’s why I wanted to do it. It’s going to be a long weekend but it’s a really good cause.”

The swim will take place in Weymouth Swimming Pool on December 12 and Sophie aims to complete the 22 miles over the weekend.

As a member of Weymouth Swimming Club, Sophie has already started training for the challenge.

Her mum Sarah added: “Sophie is a very keen swimmer and trains regularly and we are all so proud of her for raising so much money ahead of the swim.

“She wants to do this to help Against Breast Cancer, a charity that works very hard to improve detection and increase survival after diagnosis of breast cancer.

“We are all very proud of her.”

Against Breast Cancer’s communications manager, Rob Fleming, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Sophie reached her original target of £1,000 and even more so that she has almost doubled that.

“For someone Sophie’s age to attempt a swim like this, we are extremely impressed, and it’s great she has all her family behind her. We want to thank Sophie so much for fundraising for us and we’re sure she will do excellently.”

To support Sophie, visit justgiving.com/sophie-moore12 There are also donation pots at Howley’s Toymaster in Weymouth.