This Sunday will be a big day for nine-year-old Holly Carruthers.

Holly is attempting to swim a mile to raise money for the Stroke Association.

The Staplehurst School pupil has been spurred into action by the sudden death of her grandfather Alec Nunn who died in January this year aged just 74.

She said: “It was very sad.

“I would like to help other families who are struggling with stroke as it is a horrible disease.”

Holly, from The Street, Frittenden, loves swimming, but a mile will be quite a challenge as the furthest she has done before is 40 lengths - a mile is 64 lengths.

Holly said: “I think I can do it. I have been training three days a week over the last month and feel pretty good about it.”

Her father Martin Nunn said: “The whole family is really proud of her, and will be cheering her on. Her grandfather would be really impressed.”

Holly as attempting her challenge at the Weald Sports Centre in Angley Road, Cranbrook, on Sunday at 12.30pm.

There are approximately 152,000 strokes in the UK every year, that is one every 3 minutes and 27 seconds, and one in three of those prove fatal within a year.

It can also be very debilitating for the survivors and their families.

Anyone who would like to support Holly by donating to the Stroke Association can do so via her Just Giving website: www.justgiving.com/Holly-Carruthers