A POOL attendant is hoping to raise money for charity in memory of his mother by taking part in the world's biggest sponsored swim.

Craig Murray, 34, who works at Darlington's Dolphin Centre, is planning to swim more than 200 lengths in the Butlins Swimathon 2004 to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

His mother, Ruth, was cared for by a Macmillan nurse before she died from cancer five years ago, at the age of 52.

"This is me trying to give something back," said Mr Murray, who has organised the swimathon at the Dolphin Centre for the past five years. This year he will take part in the individual event on Saturday, March 20, and the team challenge on the following day.

"We want as many people as possible to take part this year," he said.

"In the past we have raised up to £6,500 for charity, and I'm hoping to reach that target this year."

Five hundred pools are taking part in the swimathon. Participants can get more details and a training programme on the website at www.swimathon.org. Leaflets are also available at the Dolphin Centre.