A FIREFIGHTER has reached his fundraising goal ahead of his charity channel swim at the end of this month.

Steve Marshall 48, is tackling the nautical challenge in the week commencing Sunday, August 27, to raise money for his friend Andy Shaw, 46, who is battling lung cancer.

He set a £1,000 fundraising target online ahead of the challenge and has now beat the mark, having collected £1,095.

The money will go helping Mr Shaw, from Haslingden, and his family during this period.

Having reached the fundraising goal, Mr Marshall is confident of completing the challenge.

The father-of-two from Helmshore said: "I just thought if I could raise a bit of money to help him.

"I'm nervous about it but I'm not going down there to fail.

"It will certainly be a conversation starter."

Father-of-one Mr Shaw was diagnosed with lung cancer in March and a fundraising group 'Andy's Angels' was set up to support him and his family

To donate visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nicola-collins