Channel Swim Challenge

23 August 2011, 06:20 | Updated: 23 August 2011, 11:34

A woman from the Thames Valley is preparing to swim the English Channel to raise money for her friend's son.

Lisa Auchinvole from Oxfordshire, is hoping to raise £10,000 for her friend's 7 year old son, who suffers from Muscular Dystrophy.

"Adam is the son of a close school friend," explains Lisa. "The swim is a personal challenge, but also aims at raising money for Action Duchenne which is the charity specifically working towards finding a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The research and imminent trials could make an enormous difference to Adam's life and that of his parents."

40 year old Lisa has been training hard and completed a six hour swim of Lake Windermere in the Lake District back in June, in preparation for the Channel swim in September.

She has already had lots of support, with the current donation total currently standing at over £6,000. And she has received words of encouragement from the highest places. "This sort of challenge takes a huge amount of mental and physical strength - and Lisa has both," said Olympic medallist Sharon Davies.

You can find out more about Lisa's challenge and make a donation here.