Forget running the marathon, one schoolboy is to swim the distance instead.

Samuel Lench, who attends Rumbles Boxing Academy, will take to the water for 26 miles to raise money for the Sittingbourne club, which was heavily damaged in an arson attack last month.

The 12-year-old from Laxton Way in Milton Regis trains four times a week at Swallows Leisure Centre and is a member of Sittingbourne and Milton swimming club.

In only one week, the Fulston Manor pupil covered more than four miles and raised in excess of £400.

He is aiming to go the full distance in a month, hoping to raise as much as he can for boxing coach Charlie Rumble to repair damage to the club at Eurolink Industrial Estate.

Samuel’s mum, Emma Lench, 39, said: “It’s such an amazing thing he’s chosen to do.

“Samuel said if people can run a marathon then he could swim it.

“He’s so blase about it too – he says he thinks it’s easy!”

The challenge will take him 1,688 lengths to complete, while he continues to train twice a week with Rumbles.

Emma, a Slimming World consultant, said the love of water runs in the family: “His older sister, Kirstie, who’s 18, is also a swimming teacher and I’m a level one swimming coach.

“We’re so proud of him, he’s been swimming since he was six and only took up boxing three months ago but absolutely loves it.”

He plans to complete his mammoth task on Friday, May 19, with Charlie cheering him on and counting in his final few lengths.