A GRANDSON swam a mile to raise money for his grandfather who was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Joshua Black, 14, Station Lane, Barton in Preston took part in a charity swim and raised £800 for his 'gramps' John Jeffrey, 72, of Royshaw Avenue in Blackburn who is being treated for bowel cancer in the King Therapy Unit at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

The 14-year-old was one of the youngest participants in The Epic Swim Series Derwent Water, Cumbria

He swam a mile in open water at one of the lake in just 50 minutes and raised hundreds of pounds for his gramps.

His mother, Paula Black, 48, also swam a mile as she also raised money for her friend who passed away.

The mother-of-one, who finished the swim after one hour and 11 minutes, said: "Josh and John have a special relationship with each other and he calls him 'gramps'.

"Initially Josh was going to support me in raising money for one of my closest friends who has passed away.

"But after gramps was admitted into the hospital unit Josh asked me if he could raise money for gramps which was very touching.

John said: "Me and my wife Mary are very proud of Josh.

"I was never bothered about being called grandad so we thought about something else.

"I did not want to be called Grampa as it seems a bit ancient so he came up with gramps.

"The nurses at Royal Blackburn Hospital say the cancer is curable and that I should take each day as it comes.

"We see a lot of stories about hospitals not performing as they should but this one certainly does! I can't speak highly enough about them.

"I know it won't be easy but I'm sure I will get better."

Paula, who works as a nurse at Blackpool Hospital, added: "In total I raised £550 for St Catherine's and my son raised £800 for the unit.

"So only did Josh beat me in the water but also the amount of money he raised."

Josh's grandmother Mary Jeffrey, 71, said: "He is a very caring lad already.

"We sort of thought £250 to £300 that's what we were thinking of but its gone up and up to £800.