A DETERMINED youngster pushed his body to the limits in a physical challenge to raise money for a seven-year-old battling leukaemia.

Lewis Dare, nine, has completed swimming 40 lengths of a 25-metre pool, before drying off and running 5km in a solo biathlon challenge he set himself to help a poorly boy.

Lewis, who lives in Dovercourt with his mum Vanessa, dad Dave, and sister Darcy, five, has added up he has raised nearly £900 from completing his challenge on August 25.

Vanessa said Lewis took on the challenge as he is physically fit and swims for Harwich Swimmers.

She said: "He managed to complete the whole challenge in just over an hour.

"He found the swimming quite easy, he just stopped for a couple of seconds for a drink.

"The pool reserved a single lane for him and the public cheered him on during the swim.

"After that, Lewis got changed and then went running along the seafront.

"A couple of times he had to catch his breath and walk and when he finished he lied on the ground exhausted.

"But after ten minutes, he felt fine and fit again."

The money Lewis raised from his biathlon will go to The Sick Children’s Trust in the name of Ben Wickens, seven, who has a rare form of adult leukaemia.

Ben’s grandmother Gill Wickens lives in Barrack Lane, Harwich, and is a family friend of the Dares.

Lewis, of Oakland Road, heard from his mum about Ben’s condition and wanted to do what he could to help him by raising money for the Sick Children’s Trust.

The national trust provides free high-quality accommodation to support families of children in hospital like Ben.

Money raised for the trust can help family members like Gill visit Ben in Newcastle, where he lives, more regularly by allowing her to stay in the charity’s housing.

Vanessa added: "We were all there to watch and cheer Lewis on including Ben Wickens' grandparents.

"We are all so proud of what he has achieved and want to thank everyone who has supported Lewis in this amazing cause.

"Everyone was so generous with their donations.

"Lewis was even able to speak to Ben on the phone to tell him he had completed his biathlon."

Lewis' target was £200 on his Just Giving Page, but he managed to raise more than three times that amount through online donations, family members and friends.

Vanessa said her son is now looking to take on another physical challenge to help another charity.