BRIDPORT: Fundraiser Anne Stone went to great lengths to achieve a swimming challenge.

Anne, 42, swam 22 miles in her local pool – the equivalent of crossing the English Channel.

Anne said she was delighted to reach the finish line of her Aspire challenge.

Her efforts have raised around £150 for people paralysed by spinal cord injuries.

She said: “It was very much a personal challenge but I met lots of people who knew what I was doing. My mother and sister were there when I completed the final length with some posters.”

“I’m planning on doing it again next year as well, and I will continue with the swimming in general as it is a great way to maintain fitness.”

Anne’s physiotherapist had suggested that she started swimming again some time ago to help her rehabilitation process after damaging her foot.

She was grateful to be allowed to use the Jurassic Fun Centre pool at Burton Bradstock free of charge while carrying out the challenge.

Anne said: “I returned to the pool after I had finished the challenge and took in some cakes just to say thank you to everyone for their help.”

“They have said I should continue swimming there. They said that as I had made it to France I should swim back home now.”

The Aspire Channel Swim 2014 is a national challenge open to anyone wishing to take part, and involves swimming in local pools to equivalent width of the English Channel.

The 12-week challenge runs from September 8 to December 1.