Cub Ivan on last laps of his ‘Channel’ swim
Ivan's plea
Cub Ivan Burt-Smith, pictured, has just 302 lengths of Selkirk pool to go to complete his challenge of swimming 22 miles.
The eight-year-old is swimming the width of the English Channel to raise money to help reslate the Scout hall roof in Mill Street.
And his proud mum Jan estimates supporters have pledged about £1,000 in support of her son.
The Kirkhope Primary schoolboy, of Murison Hill, is aiming for 1,416 lengths and by Wednesday had completed 1,014.
Jan said: “I’m emailing everyone I know – and I’m sick of pestering people (to support him). But I’m so proud of him.
“Radio 2 DJ Simon Mayo has a blog and I mentioned it on that and I’ve got cheques coming in from all over the country.
“Ivan just thinks it’s wonderful, he’s not quite grasped the enormity of it, he just gets on with it. We got a cheque from somebody last week who had already given £20 and when Ivan opened the card a cheque for £50 fell out.”
After straining his shoulder the first week, Ivan has been injury-free.
Jan said: “He’s feeling great. His swimming is getting stronger, he’s getting a bit faster. The pool’s been quite busy, but people have been so patient, everyone has been fantastic.
“I thought he would be flagging by now, but he is more determined than ever.
“At the pool people I don’t know tell me what an inspiration he is – I’m bursting with pride.”
Ivan is swimming 50to 60 lengths in each hour-long session and hopes to complete his challenge in 24 hours.
Jan hopes to organise a small celebration for her son when he finishes at the pool at about 6.30pm on March 12.
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Weather for Selkirk
Sunday 26 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 8 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South
