A SWIMMING club dived straight into its latest fundraising challenge to raise cash for a local hospice.

The Sedgefield and District 75 Swimming Club raised £250 in aid of St Teresa's Hospice, in Darlington.

Club members of all ages and abilities swam continuous laps of the pool at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre to raise the money.

The annual event, known as the Care For Me Care For You sponsored swim, was started six years ago by head coach John Moore.

Mr Moore was inspired to raise the money because of his work with people with, or recovering from a serious illness, for whom he runs a remedial aquatherapy course, supported by Sedgefield Borough Council.

He said: "I came up with the idea for this event because I was inspired by one of my aquatherapy pupils who also happened to be a guest at St Teresa's Hospice.

"His name was Michael Stevens and when we first met he was almost completely paralysed as the result of a brain tumour.

"Through swimming and exercise he slowly began to regain his strength and was soon training twice a week.

"Sadly, Michael experienced a recurrence of his tumour and died in early 2004.

"I know that Michael was a huge supporter of our sponsored swim and I would like to dedicate this year's donation to his memory."