SUTTON: Lucia goes to great lengths for school

The seven-year-old, known to family and friends as ‘Cheeky Cia’, took on a sponsored swim of 20 lengths to raise money for Dalestorth School.

But having reached her target distance at the Lammas Leisure Centre, she kept on going - and going - to more than treble it.

As a result, Lucia has already collected £200, with the promise of more to come.

Her marathon feat has kicked off the school’s bid to raise money for new reading scheme books through a series of fundraising activities.

“We’re very proud of Lucia’s achievement,” said mum S-J. “Her swimming teacher, Amanda, said she thought she would be able to do 24 lengths, and then Lucia decided she wanted to do 27 because that’s her birthday.

“Then Lucia thought she might as well do a half mile and, having done that, she carried on to do the full mile.

“She’s been having swimming lessons for two years now and I know she’s very thankful to Amanda and the other teachers she’s had in the past, as well as her great aunt and uncle, Sue and Peter, who have paid for those lessons, and her grandma and grandad ‘Dark’ for taking her along.”

It’s been a busy period for Lucia, who has also completed her bronze swimming certificate, moved up a book band in reading and moved onto the next belt in mixed martial arts.

Her efforts have been much appreciated at school, where a themed disco, Easter egg raffle and a summer extravaganza are also planned for the book fund.

Literacy co-ordinator Robert Rumsby said: “Lucia has made a great start to the school’s fundraising target of £2,000, where we’re aiming to fill our shelves with stimulating, high-quality books that all the children can enjoy.”