WHEN Lauren Gledhill embarks on the longest swim of her life later this month it will be for a cause close to her heart.

The 22-year-old lost her mum and gran to cancer within four days of each other last year and is now determined to do her bit to fight the killer disease.

Breast cancer claimed the life of her mum, Linda Gledhill, at the age of just 50 in May 2003.

Four days earlier Mrs Gledhill had learned of the tragic death from kidney cancer of her own mother, Ethel Park.

Lauren, who has just graduated with a law degree from Southampton University, aims to swim around 150 lengths of the Littledown Centre pool for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

"It is part of the Kodak Challenge where you choose something which is a challenge to you personally," said Lauren, of Albion Way, Verwood.

"I am not a natural swimmer so this is definitely a challenge for me. If I manage to raise £1,000 a plaque will be put up at the charity's main centre in London in memory of my mum. That is what I am really hoping to do."

Lauren said her mum was first diagnosed with breast cancer nine years ago but died after being admitted to hospital last year.

And she said she desperately hopes that Breakthrough Breast Cancer will one day find a cure for the disease, which kills hundreds of thousands of British women every year.

"I have chosen this charity so that one day people will not have to go through the same things we have," she said.

"It is something I want to do in memory of my mum and my gran. Even if it only helps one person to avoid what we have gone through then it will be worth it."

The swim will take place from 11am on Saturday October 23 and the Littledown Centre has donated a lane for four hours.

"I have been in training and, at the moment, I can do about 50 lengths in an hour," said Lauren. "I am aiming for about 150 but whatever I do will raise money for the charity."

She said friends, family and colleagues at Safeway in Verwood have already been generous but she is keen to add to the total.

If you want to help, send cheques, payable to Breakthrough Breast Cancer, to Jane Reader c/o Daily Echo newsroom, Richmond Hill, Bournemouth BH2 6HH.

First published: October 7