CARING eight-year-old Adam Murray was so moved by television appeals calling for aid for poverty-stricken people in Africa that he resolved to do what he could to help.

He took the plunge - and swam a marathon three miles to raise money.

Bolton School pupil Adam swam at the David Lloyd Leisure Centre in Bolton raising funds for the Action Aid charity.

And he was joined by friends Cameron Turnbull and Emily Woodhead, also aged eight, who embarked on their own charity campaigns.

Adam, of The Hamlet, in Lostock, said: "I got the idea to do it after watching adverts on the TV for Action Aid. It looked like not many people were giving money to it, so I wanted to do something to help."

He said that before the swim he had been feeling both nervous and confident - he completed a two-mile swim last year, but had never attempted the three-mile distance before.

So far, Adam has raised £170 for the Action Aid charity and the money will be spent on helping impoverished people gain the skills and equipment to support themselves.

Cameron has raised £100 for Cancer Research while Emily was raising money for Bolton Hospice.

Adam started swimming lessons at the age of three and now goes swimming twice a week. He dreams of one day becoming a world-class swimmer and competing at the Olympics.

Currently, he has lessons at the David Lloyd Centre and is a member of Finn's Swimming Club. He has competed in a number of school swimming galas.

His mum, Jayne, said: "He is a very keen swimmer. He swam two miles last year and decided to up the ante this year."

Adam's four year-old sister, Amie, is also following in his wake as she is a keen swimmer.