Published at 16:42, Monday, 15 October 2012

A YOUNG girl has been making a splash with her recent fundraising efforts – and is now in line to receive a national award.

SUPER SWIMMER: Eden-Joy Light, from Ulverston, is up for an award after swimming an incredible 570 lengths for charity

Eden-Joy Light, from Ulverston, has been recognised for her swimming ability as well as her generosity, having been short-listed in the Young Swimmer of the Year category at the Kellogg’s Swimtastic Awards.

She will travel to Sheffield for the ceremony on October 20, where she will meet high profile swimmers including Paralympic star Ellie Simmonds.

The 12-year-old only took up the sport four years ago and has since been crowned Cumbria county champion in the 50m, 100m and 200m.

And she recently managed to raise over £600 by swimming 14km – 570 lengths – for Alice Pyne’s charity Alice’s Escapes.

Michelle Light, Eden’s mum, nominated her for the award. She said: “Eden is a beautiful child inside and out, and when she is not swimming she loves nothing more than to help other people.

“When she told us about doing the sponsored swim, we were worried about her doing such a long swim at first, but she was determined to do it for Alice.

“She has so many trophies now but remains humble and loves to help her coaches teach the younger children at her club to swim.

“As Eden’s mum, I feel blessed for the inspirational young lady she has become and I am so proud of all her.”

The money raised was gratefully received by Alice’s Escapes, a charity providing short breaks to seriously ill children and their families.

The charity was set up by 16-year-old Alice Pyne earlier this year. She was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of 12.

Olympic bronze medallist and BBC sport presenter, Steve Parry, is hosting the awards and said: “The whole country is on a high after the Olympics, which is fantastic, but now it’s time to recognise the heart-warming, courageous stories of our swimming community up and down the country – that’s exactly what The Swimtastic Awards is about.’’

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