A DETERMINED schoolgirl is aiming to swim the length of the English Channel in memory of a much-loved great aunt.
Nine-year-old Ellie-Jane Norman, a pupil at Llantilio Pertholey School, is swimming around 1,500 lengths, totalling 22 miles, at Abergavenny Leisure Centre.
She is taking on the Aspire Channel Swim in memory of great aunt, Jane, who died aged 36 in 2003, after suffering from Spina bifida.
Money raised will go to charity Aspire, which provides support to people who have been paralysed by spinal cord injury.
Mum Becky Norman said swimming enthusiast Ellie-Jane, who is named after her great aunt, decided to take on the challenge herself.
She said: "I showed her an email about the event and she said she wanted to do it for her great auntie
"Ever since she was born she has talked about her.
"I am incredibly proud of her. She is an inspiration."
The swimming challenge, which started on Monday, takes place over 12 weeks, until December 4. To support Ellie-Jane, visit bit.ly/2wUgiDc.
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