CHARITY head Anne Mawdsley is relaxing before tomorrow night's swimming challenge with Olympic gold medallist David Wilkie.

Mrs Mawdsley is the director of the Alsager-based Raynaud's and Scleroderma Association, for which she is hoping to raise thousands of pounds with her charity swim.

Dr Chris Steele, the resident doctor from breakfast TV show This Morning, is to act as official starter for the fund-raiser, during which David Wilkie will swim alongside Mrs Mawdsley.

She has been sponsored to swim 50 lengths of the pool at the Manor House Hotel, Alsager, and David will be sponsored to swim as many lengths as he can to raise further funds.

The event is being sponsored by UK health company Health Perception, and has already raised more than £4,500.

"I am very touched by the generosity of so many people who have supported my efforts,'' said Mrs Mawdsley.

"Donations have ranged from £1 to £500, every penny counts, and there is still time if people have not already sent in a contribution.

"We are very lucky to have the support of one of Britain's greatest swimmers, and being a county swimmer myself I felt I had to challenge him.

"I keep wondering what I have let myself in for - but there is no turning back now!''

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