A MELKSHAM 10-year-old with asthma who struggled to complete a length of the pool only months ago has set himself the target of swimming the equivalent of the English Channel in aid of Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

In one week, Ciaran Hanks, of Hazelwood Road, has completed over 8km in lengths and is well on the way to completing the required distance of 35.18km by Christmas Day.

Ciaran, who goes to Aloeric Primary School and only took up swimming lessons in January 2014, found out about the challenge on the Swimtag website, which monitors how far you swim on a wristwatch, and is loving every minute of his adventure.

"I am really excited by the challenge ahead. Every time I wake up I want to go swimming and get closer to the finish,” said Ciaran, who aims to raise at least £100 for the charity.

“I thought I was getting better at swimming and I wanted to take it to the next level. I have shocked myself and my mum and dad by what I have achieved. My mum and dad have been really supportive. I want to do it for them as well as hopefully raising money for a top charity.”

Since August 3 Ciaran has swam at the Trowbridge Sports Centre pool, chalking up the kilometres with his Swimtag wristwatch on with unbridled joy and fierce determination.

Mum Caroline, 42, said Ciaran could just hold his head above the water in 2014 and struggled to complete a length earlier this year because of his asthma – a condition he has had since he was four.

However after working really hard to overcome his breathing problems in the pool, his ability has skyrocketed which has shocked him and thrilled his parents.

“Me and my husband Jason are just bursting with pride. He has done it all off his own back. He was a non-swimmer a couple of years ago and now he is just brilliant at it,” said Mrs Hanks.

“He is just so determined to do this. If he could he would swim every day but at the moment he is swimming several days a week but wants to go even more.

“When we told him that we had contacted the Wiltshire Times he was over the moon. He gave me a huge hug and was just so happy.”

To sponsor Ciaran visit justgiving.com/fundraising/CiaransChannelSwim.