A GP in training and five friends have found a chilly but warmhearted way to raise funds for Bolton Hospice.

Dr Balaji Shanmugam, an anaesthetist currently undertaking training to become a GP at Pike View Medical Centre in Horwich, and a group of friends are taking part in a marathon wild water swim.

They have spread the 26 miles over eight weeks and a couple of different venues and are currently on course to raise £1,000 for the hospice.

Dr Balaji, as he is well-known at the hospice where he recently completed six months in palliative care training, initially took part in Bolton Hospice's Big Dip in February. “I really enjoyed it,” he stated.

So, when he read about the hospice’s financial difficulties, he decided to do something himself to help.

“My friend Carolyn Warrington, an obstetrician at the Royal Bolton Hospital, is a keen wild water swimmer and after the February fundraiser she encouraged me to go swimming with her and some friends,” explained Dr Balaji.

When he told his swimming friends about his plan to raise money, they were all keen to take part so have since been swimming regularly twice a week at Three Sisters in Wigan and at Pennington Flash in Leigh.

“We’re all on course for the plan and could actually finish early,” added Dr Balaji. “We enjoy the swimming, usually wearing wet suits unless the water is quite warm.

“We swam at Pennington Flash during Storm Antoni the other week  when it was very windy and raining hard but we all managed it.”

The group also comprises Bolton midwife Rebecca Talbot, Katy Fisher, Elaine Parr and Kate Somma.

“Wild water swimming is a great sport and we’re all much fitter and better swimmers now,” added the 39 year-old doctor.

“It's not until you realise how vital the hospice is to local people that you see how important it is to ensure its future. So we’re planning some more fundraising ideas now including swimming Lake Coniston and Lake Windermere from end to end.”

If you'd like to support Dr Balaji and friends' fundraising efforts, please visit  https://www.justgiving.com/page/swimforhospice