HOLT teenager Steph Pepler is over the moon after raising more than £1,000 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance in memory of her uncle through a sponsored swim on Saturday (June 20).

The 18-year-old was joined by 11 family members and friends for the sponsored swim at Clarendon Academy pool in Trowbridge, with those taking part swimming as many lengths as possible during the two hour period.

Miss Pepler decided to raise money for Wiltshire Air Ambulance as a tribute to her uncle, who was a supporter of the charity before he died two years ago.

She set out to raise more than £1,000 for the charity, which relies on the generosity of the public and businesses to raise £2.5m a year to keep the service running, and Miss Pepler is confident that the final fundraising total will be nearer the £1,400 mark.

Miss Pepler said: “It was absolutely brilliant and we think we have raised around £1,300-£1,400 through sponsorship, with money still coming in. We also raised money through charity buckets.

“I was delighted with how it all turned out and almost everyone who took part managed to swim over 40 lengths of the pool. I managed to do 62 lengths, while one managed 90 lengths.

“A lot of effort went into it all and I cannot thank everyone enough for all their support. It’s great to be able to raise so much for such a worthy charity and it is an amazing achievement.”

As well as the sponsored swim and collection buckets, Miss Pepler held a raffle, with prizes including vouchers from Walter Rose and Son butchers, Alpha Taxis and a basket of goods from ASDA.

Miss Pepler added: “I am very thankful to Clarendon for allowing us to use the pool, as well as all the companies that helped with raffle donations, including ASDA, Alpha Taxis, Walter Rose and Son, Finneys and Holt Superstore.”