A TEN-year-old is taking on the Aspire Channel Swim in triple-quick time so people paralysed with spinal cord injuries can keep swimming.

In September, Sadie Rowe will begin the 22-mile event which will see her complete about 1,416 lengths in just four weeks instead of the recommended 12.

She wanted to push herself and has already beaten her £200 fundraising target so then upped it to £450.

The money raised swimming the distance - which equates to the distance from England to France - will be donated to Aspire, a charity Sadie feels passionately about.

She said: “All the money I’m raising is motivating me and I’m really proud of myself for beating £200.

“I chose Aspire because it doesn’t get noticed for the great stuff it’s doing to support people with spinal cord injuries.

“The charity gives a really good way to help people less fortunate than us so if they can support me by sponsoring, that would be great.

“The people who are injured can’t control their bodies because they’re paralysed which must be really horrible.”

Sadie was moved by Aspire’s Leisure Centre, in London, which is the first fully integrated community leisure facility in Europe for disabled and non-disabled people.

Sadie has swum since she was a baby and now swims competitively with Colchester Swimming Club.

Sadie, who attends Highwoods Community Primary School in Colchester, will complete her challenge by swimming lengths daily after school.

The endeavour will be on top or her regular 5.30am training swims with Colchester Swimming Club.

Her mother Laura will be clocking up her miles from the poolside.

She said: “Adam Peaty [British Olympic swimmer] inspires me, I’d really like to meet him and be a professional swimmer one day.

“I didn’t like swimming when I was younger because I didn’t like getting my face wet.

“But since being asked to join the club at the start of the year, I really enjoy it.”

Sadie added: “Swimming is a good way to keep fit and also I find it’s a natural thing my body does.

“This is a massive challenge for me but the more I raise, the more of a difference I’ll make and I’m really looking forward to doing it.”

To sponsor Sadie, go to her fundraising site here.