A SUPERSTAR swimmer who is making a real splash in memory of four family members is hoping his efforts in the pool will raise hundreds for charity.

Harvey Atkinson, 11, from Colchester, is an ever-determined student at Montgomery Junior School and regularly attends the Stanway Swimming Club.

The budding Michael Phelps has been swimming since the age of just four-months old and never feels more at home than when he is gliding through the water.

He is now tackling an ambitious swim-a-thon in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society and his efforts have already raised more than £340, more than doubling his target.

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Harvey is also taking on the challenge in memory of his great grandads Bill and Les, great uncle Ronnie, and great auntie June, who all died after fighting dementia.

Harvey’s mum, Stephanie, said: “What is really sad is that for all of Harvey’s life Les had dementia, so most of what he remembers is him being unable to walk or talk.

“It really affected him quite badly and it is upsetting he does not remember the man he was before, because he was amazing and one of the nicest men you could meet.

“When we would go and see him I would tell Harvey we were visiting the grandad with the poorly brain to help him understand.”

Harvey’s gruelling swim will see him cover a total of ten miles – which equals more than 16,000 metres and 644 lengths, in just one week.

“He is really enjoying it and it is not too hard on him because he is very energetic and he loves swimming,” added mum Stephanie.

“But he has also found it hard putting himself under so much pressure to do it in a week and sometimes the watches have not tracked his swims, so that has upset him.

“Either way, we are immensely proud of him and once he puts his mind to something he is quite determined, so we knew he would do ten miles no problem.

“He told us he wanted to put his swimming skills to good use and he is trying to show that no matter how young you are, you can do anything you put your mind to.”

To sponsor Harvey visit justgiving.com/fundraising/swimfordementia-harveyatkinson.