A KEEN swimmer is taking the plunge to raise money for two Bury charities.

Chris Ridings, aged 27, aims to swim 10km in the pool at the Bolholt Country Park Hotel in Walshaw Road, Bury, on Saturday.

He has spent months training for the mammoth challenge and intends to complete it in six hours.

Chris, who lives in Edenfield, is collecting sponsorship from friends and family and hopes to raise £800.

He will donate half the money to the Bury branch of the Parkinson’s Disease Society, in honour of a relative who has the disease.

Chris said: “I thought it would be good to raise money for the Bury branch because it will help local people.

“Parkinson’s doesn’t have a cure, so I want to raise money to find out what causes it and perhaps to find a cure.

“I am looking forward to the swim, but I’m nervous at the same time.

“I enjoy swimming and I’ve been training for about six months, so hopefully I’ll be able to complete the whole distance.”

The rest of the money will go to the Joe Geeling Trust, which was established in memory of schoolboy Joe, who died in March, 2006, after being stabbed by a fellow St Gabriel’s RC High School pupil.

Set up by Joe’s parents, Tom and Gwen, the charity raises money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the new Manchester Children’s Hospital appeal.

Anyone wishing to support Chris can make a donation on the internet by visiting justgiving.com/splashback