Phoebe’s swimathon for Pudsey involved all her Bury family

Pheobe Mousley-Hastings’ decision to raise money for BBC Children in Need by swimming two miles soon turned into a family affair.

While Phoebe, who has a language disorder, swam up and down Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre’s pool, her older brother Kia Mousley - Hastings, 15, rowed six miles and her step father Steve Hastings cycled 16 miles on the centre’s machines.

Not to be left out , the 12-year-old’s litte brother Ellis, 10, swam further than he had ever done before to give her the support to keeping going in the pool.

More support came from Children in Need mascot Pudsey bear, who popped round to the leisure centre while visiting the nearby Asda supermarket.

Mum Deborah Hastings said: “Phoebe asked if Pudsey could come and watch her which amazingly he did.

“Pudsey was on pool side to start the challenge off and Phoebe’s face was a picture – she was so happy it nearly brought her to tears .

“ I am so proud of her. She loves swimming as it’s something that takes away from the speech and language disorder.

“She can visually see what is needed of her in training sessions at West Suffolk Swimming Club and she says for once she knows she is good at something .

“For her to have to have the need and heart to want to helps others is such an amazing quality for a child of her age to have.”

So far the Bury family’s effort has brought in £260 and Phoebe hopes to do three miles next year.