WELLINGTON Weekly News receptionist Ellen Todd, 22, is planning a 22-mile swim to raise money in support of those suffering with diabetes.

Ellen, who has Type One diabetes and lives in Hemyock, will be joined by her mum Anne Todd, Nicola Cappell, Jodie Oaten and Sarah Stafford. Together they hope to swim 110 miles.

Ellen, whose brother Tom Troake, 26, also has the same illness, said yesterday: “As a team, we are going to be swimming , 7,040 lengths of the swimming pool at Wellington Sports Centre between February 22 and May 22 – 22 miles is the width of the English Channel – so it will be as though we are 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 raised £191.16 towards its target of £500.