A cashier is set to take the plunge for a three-year-old boy suffering from cancer.

Kim Royden, who works for Sedgwick Insurance Brokers in Witham, will be swimming 100 lengths to raise funds for Ben Picton, who was diagnosed as having a brain tumour earlier this year.

Mrs Royden, 31, of The Avenue, Witham, will also be cheered on by work colleagues and husband Stuart.

Her eight-year-old daughter Sophie will also be accompanying her swimming some of the lengths.

Mrs Royden said: "I have lost a number of friends to cancer over the years and I just wanted to give something back."

After speaking to friends about her wish to give something back they suggested helping Ben.

Ben has already had eight hours of surgery to remove the tumour followed by three months of chemotherapy.

Ben's parents Guy and Natasha met Mrs Royden through Stuart, who worked with Guy at Hewlett Packard.

They have raised money to convert their garage into a special room with soft furniture and toys for Ben to play with.

The remaining funds will be used to help their local hospital and to buy toys for Ben.

Mr Picton said after his treatment doctors were worried about the effects of lethargy after the chemotherapy and he hoped the room would help his son recover.

He said: "We are overwhelmed everybody's response to this. Kim has been exceptionally sweet in what she is doing and we thank her for doing it."

The sponsored swim is taking place tomorrow at Bramston Sports Centre, Witham.

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