Friends of a Perth boy who has diabetes have taken part in an epic swimming challenge to raise money for charity.
Jamie Thomson, 9, who attends Oakbank Primary School, was joined by friends to take part in a 22-mile swim, after he was diagnosed with type one diabetes two years ago.
The youngster surpassed his target of raising £500 and, in the process, raised awareness of the condition among his peers.
Even the despicable efforts of thieves who stole one of the collections boxes at a local store has not hampered Jamie’s determination to raise as much money as he can for Diabetes UK.
On Sunday, his mother, Amanda, explained how the gruelling challenge came to be as the team came together to complete a symbolic final length at Perth Leisure Pool.
“My son had this great idea that he wanted to do Swim22 after reading about it on the Diabetes UK website,” she said.
“I didn’t want to discourage him but I thought ‘22 miles, you’re only nine-years-old.’ However, I said, ‘let’s do it – let’s get a team.’
“So, he started to rally people and he asked around to get a team. Collectively they have smashed the target by doing more than 22 miles which is super.”
Mrs Thomson said all the children had their own sponsor sheets so the exact total raised is not yet known.
“The kids have either done the swim on holiday or at their local pool. We just clock up the lengths, sign them off and add them up.
“And here we are today doing our final length at Perth Leisure Pool.”
Money has been raised through a bucket collection at a St Johnstone home match in April. Although one collection box was stolen from the Co-op store in Rannoch Road last week, the shop has kindly said they will cover the money taken.
And she was full of praise for the children involved in the swim.
“The kids have been great – they’ve all been so supportive towards Jamie,” she added.
“We’ve raised more than £1,000 on the Just Giving page and then there will be more money coming in, so it’s fantastic.”
Mrs Thomson said money has still to be collected from the Cherrybank Inn and China China take-away shop.
The group is made up of friends Aaron McPhee, Euan Richardson, Jack Allan, Ben Lackie, Max Carling-Steer, Chloe Bloice, Callum Paterson and Natalia Rennie. Jamie’s sister, Abbie, and his swimming coach, Scott Graham, have also taken part.
To donate visit www.justgiving.com/JamieThomsonSwim22
