AN EVESHAM schoolboy who spent the first few weeks of his life in hospital swam 50km to raise £1,210 for a neonatal intensive care unit in Worcestershire.

Nine-year-old Ben Chadwick swam the distance over a six-week period to raise the cash for the unit at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

In 2005 Ben was born with a lung condition and spent five weeks in neonatal units at the Royal as well as Birmingham’s Heartlands Hospital.

Ben, who swam the 50km – the distance between the two hospitals – over 2,000 lengths, said he was pleased to be able to give something back to the people who helped him in his first few weeks.

“I’m really grateful to everyone working in the neonatal units,” he said.

“I wanted to do something different to say thank you to the people who looked after me when I was born.”

Consultant paediatrician at the Royal’s unit Dr Andrew Gallagher described Ben as “a marvellous individual”.

“To take on a challenge like this at such a young age is a real testament to him,” he said.

“I don’t know many people that could swim 50km in three months let alone six weeks.

“We are all very grateful for his efforts.”

Fundraiser for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust’s charitable fund Craig Burchell said the amount Ben had raised was “absolutely brilliant”.

“I’m already lining him up for a London Marathon place when he turns 10,” he said.

“Joking aside he has done remarkably well and we are all so grateful for his support.”