A YORK schoolboy has made a splash for charity by swimming the length of the English Channel at his local pool.

Matthew Watkin, 13, of Fordlands Road, Fulford, took on St Leonard's Hospice's challenge of swimming 21 miles, which is the length of the Channel from Dover to Calais.

He swam 1,352 lengths of the swimming pool at York Sport Village, in Heslington, and has raised £1,000 in sponsorship for the York hospice, smashing his fundraising target of £500.

His mother Jane, who works with the St Leonard's Hospice at Home team, said: “To top £1,000 is brilliant.

"We are pleased with his achievement. We're very proud of him.

"It was a win win for him. He was getting extra training and at the same time St Leonard's was benefitting from it.

"He is now trying to think of what he could do next year. Something with 21 miles in for St Leonard's."

She added: "Matthew would like to thank everyone for their donations."

The Fulford School pupil swam about 100 lengths most times he visited York Sport Village in order to complete the challenge.

Matthew is a member of York City Baths Club, and trains three times a week with them.

York Sport Village allowed him to complete the challenge in their pool for free, waiving all charges.

The sponsorship money that Matthew collected came from family, friends and members of the public.

The Swim for St Leonard challenge encourages people to swim 21 miles in their local swimming pool in aid of the hospice.

Jane said: "If there are any swimmers out there interested in taking on the challenge, the hospice fundraising team would be happy to help and advise them how to go about it."