Bolsover boy to take on 44-mile charity swim in aid of Diabetes UK

An 11-year-old boy Bolsover boy is preparing to swim the equivalent of the English Channel twice over as he takes on his next charity fundraising challenge.
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Hayden Hudson, who is part of Chesterfield Swimming Club’s squad, will take on the national Swim22 challenge between July 22 and October 22 to raise vital funds for Diabetes UK.

The challenge gives participants 12 weeks to swim 22 miles in their local pool, but keen swimmer Hayden has decided to go one step further and swim 44 miles, the equivalent distance of swimming to France and back, with the aim of completing 150 lengths a day.

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Hayden, who has learning difficulties and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), describes being in the water as like ‘entering a whole new world’ – and it is not the first time he has used his passion for swimming to raise money for charity.

Hayden Hudson, 11, will take the plunge next month as he embarks on Diabetes UK's Swim22 challengeHayden Hudson, 11, will take the plunge next month as he embarks on Diabetes UK's Swim22 challenge
Hayden Hudson, 11, will take the plunge next month as he embarks on Diabetes UK's Swim22 challenge

His proud mum, Tracey Hudson, said: “Everything out of school is swim, swim, swim. He goes at 5:30am to Chesterfield Swimming Club and he’s recently joined the county squad. He wants to be an Olympic swimmer.

"A couple of years ago he decided to put his passion for swimming to raising money for people as well. He decides who he wants to do it for – he’s done it for places including the Nightingale Ward and the Macmillan Unit at Chesterfield Royal, and the Sheffield Children’s Hospital Cancer Ward.”

Since starting his fundraising efforts two years ago, Hayden has raised a combined total of over £4,000 for numerous charities.

Hayden Hudson, 11, from Bolsover is a keen swimmer and has been combining his passion with fundraising for the last two yearsHayden Hudson, 11, from Bolsover is a keen swimmer and has been combining his passion with fundraising for the last two years
Hayden Hudson, 11, from Bolsover is a keen swimmer and has been combining his passion with fundraising for the last two years
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And, the Bolsover C of E Junior School pupil has no signs of stopping as he is already planning his next challenge, despite not even having started his swim for Diabetes UK.

"He’s put his fundraising target at £220 and we’re at £155 at the minute,” Tracey added. “I’m so proud of him. Because of his condition and how he is, he doesn’t take praise like any other child but you can see the pride inside when he gets out that pool.

"He know’s the local vicar and the church needs to raise funds to have the organ restored so he’s already arranged to do a fundraiser for her, that’s going to hopefully go ahead in October.”

You can donate to Hayden’s Swim 22 challenge via www.swim22.diabetes.org.uk/fundraising/tracey1928

Hayden Hudson, 11, will be swimming a total of 44 miles - the same distance to France and back - in aid of Diabetes UKHayden Hudson, 11, will be swimming a total of 44 miles - the same distance to France and back - in aid of Diabetes UK
Hayden Hudson, 11, will be swimming a total of 44 miles - the same distance to France and back - in aid of Diabetes UK

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