A YORK schoolgirl has made a splash for cash, swimming ten kilometres and raising more than £1,100 for charity.

Millie Vincent Johnston, who swims three times a week with York City Baths Club, took on the Sports Relief 10k challenge, to swim 400 lengths over 12 days. The nine-year- old didn't stop though and tallied up a total of 474 lengths, 11.8 kilometres.

Over the course of the swim, Acomb-based Millie swam in two North East galas and came away with a silver medal in the 50m breaststroke, eight personal best swims and a fourth placed medal in the 200m Individual Medley.

Millie’s mum, Emma, said: “Imagine what she could have done had she not also been swimming ten kilometres. We are so proud of Millie and her achievement. She set herself the 10k swimming challenge and was determined to raise as much money as possible.”

“We set up a Just Giving page for Millie and told everyone we met. Friends were so surprised that she was doing this, at just nine years old, that they were very supportive and generous.”

Millie, who is a Year Five pupil at The Mount School, said she found it hard to fit the swimming around school, but ploughed through 153 lengths on the first day of the challenge.

“I swam before, during and after school and then I had to do my classwork and homework. I was a bit tired the next day but I love swimming and the messages from friends, at school and at York City Baths Club that sponsored me, kept me going. It was hard though at 5.30am when it was cold and dark outside.”

The Mount head teacher, Rachel Capper, drew gasps from students at a school assembly when Millie’s achievement was given a special mention.

“This is a wonderful personal achievement for Millie," she said. "She has shown both determination and skill while completing her challenge and I am very proud that she raised so much money for Sport Relief. Most importantly, Millie has made a difference while doing something she loves. This is most impressive and I am sure the experience is something she will remember for the rest of her life."

Millie's justgiving page is https://my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/millievincentjohnston