Nine-year-old Leeds schoolboy takes on 45-mile swim for Children in Need
He will have to swim the equivalent of nearly 2,900 lengths
A Leeds schoolboy has challenged himself to swim 45 miles, the distance from Leeds to Manchester, for Children in Need.
Aaryan Mitra, nine, hopes to make waves this October as he takes on his Olympic-sized swimming challenge to raise money for the charity.
The school pupil – who has autism - has committed himself to swimming a total of 45 miles throughout the month of October.
This is equivalent to the distance from Leeds to Salford.
And he says he is “determined” to make a difference for disadvantaged children across the UK.
Aaryan said: “I’m very excited to swim the distance. It will be hard, but I know I can do it.
“I also hope to raise a lot of money.”
The Park Spring Primary School pupil will take to the baths in Bramley and Kirklees for the challenge.
He currently swims for the Borough of Kirklees para-competitive team.
To complete the challenge, he will have to swim the equivalent of nearly 2,900 lengths of the 25-metre swimming pool, all while balancing his schoolwork.
Mum Shivarna, 44, says her son‘s challenge will require a lot of “dedication” and “resilience”.
She said: “I am so proud of him. It was all his idea.
“He has swum smaller distances in previous years, but now he is old enough, he said he wants to try and make a difference where he can.”
Aaryan says he hopes not only to raise vital funds for Children in Need but also to raise awareness of the importance of making swimming more accessible for children with disabilities.
He said: “I believe that every child should have the opportunity to enjoy swimming, regardless of their abilities.”
Shivarna says her son hopes to encourage more families, schools and organisations to support inclusive swimming opportunities and inspire more children with disabilities to access their local pools.