A MAN from Barrow set himself the challenge of competing in four open water swimming challenges to raise funds for a vital service. 

Jack Thorburn, 30, has raised £3,235 for St Mary's Hospice by taking to the water. 

Throughout June Mr Thorburn took part the Uswim Greater Manchester Swim (1,609 metres), Epic Swim Ullswater (3,800 metres), The Great North Swim (3,218 metres) and the ChillSwim Coniston end to end (8,449 metres).

When he was younger Mr Thorburn used to swim for Barrow and over the last few years he had got into open water swimming without a wet suit which he said 'added to the challenge'.

Mr Thornburn wanted to raise money for St Mary's Hospice as he knows it is a charity close to the hearts of residents across south Cumbria but said he didn't expect to raise so much money.

He said: "When I started raising money I got up to £1,000 in the first few days which shocked me. I started receiving messages from people telling me how close the charity is to their hearts.

"The day before my final swim St Mary's Hospice posted the link and bumped the amount up."

Mr Thorburn said that the four swims 'were tough'.

"I was accustomed to the cold water but swimming with no wet suit you're less buoyant and your body uses more energy as your body is trying to stay warm and you are swimming.

"However the fact that I had a lot of support from people coming to watch me and I received lots of nice messages spurred me on and I thought 'I am going to complete all of these'."

Mr Thorburn said he wanted to pay a massive thank you to everyone who has supported him and donated money to the hospice.

He added: "A huge thank you from myself and St Mary's Hospice. No matter how small the donation, every little helps."