SIX local woman have begun a 110-mile swim to raise money in support of those suffering with diabetes.

Among them is Wellington Weekly News receptionist Ellen Todd, 22, who Type One diabetes and lives in Hemyock. Ellen, whose brother Tom Troake, 26, also has the same illness, said: “As a team, we are going to be swimming 7040 lengths of the swimming pool at Wellington Sports Centre. It is like swimming the English Channel five times.

“We are taking part in Diabetes UK’s Swim22 Challenge to support people affected by diabetes. There are 4.7 million people living with diabetes in the UK, the complications of which lead to more than 500 premature deaths every week.

“So we are swimming towards a healthier life for ourselves and a better future for people living with diabetes.”

To donate visit//swim22.everydayhero.com/uk/team-anne. The group has already raised more than £400.

Pictured are, back left to right: Sarah Stafford, Jodie Oaten, Anne Troake; front: Ellen Todd, Nicola Cappell and Alwina Jane Abrahams-Mason.