The sterling efforts of young Darcy Howchin and her pals have raised more than £700 for Sport Relief – and it could be even more.

As reported on this website last week, nine-year-old Darcy organised a two-mile sponsored swim for the very good cause, and on Sunday they successfully completed what was a pretty impressive challenge.

Darcy and 13 of her friends, including her eight-year-old brother Freddie, swam 128 lengths between them at the pool at St Edward’s School in Cheltenham.

“They did it in about an hour and 20 minutes,” said Darcy’s dad, Neil. “That was pretty good going because a lot of them aren’t members of a club.”

Darcy is one of those who is – she’s a county standard swimmer and a member of Tewkesbury Swimming Club.

A couple of her friends from the swimming club took part in the event, but the majority of those taking part were from her Year 5 class at Bishop’s Cleeve Primary Academy.

“That’s what made the event so good,” said Neil. “And they could have raised as much as £800, certainly somewhere between £700 and £800.”

The original aim was to raise £500, so they’ve got well past that, and Neil was also grateful to Jezz Rutt, who owns Aqua Zone Swim School, who gave them free use of the pool on the day.

So what was Neil doing while Darcy and her friends were pounding out the lengths?

“I was stood on the side with a white board and marker pen crossing off the lengths. I felt like a prison warden with my tally chart,” he laughed.

And what about next year, what are Darcy’s plans for Sport Relief in 2019?

“I don’t know yet,” said Neil, “I expect she’ll want to do a five-mile sponsored swim!”

In addition to Darcy and Freddie Howchin, the 12 youngsters who took part in Sunday’s swim were: Katie Trouse, Lottie Goldby, Lissie Goldby, Millie Smith, Jamie Smith, Isabelle Smith, Ava Beams, Evie Parker, Scarlet Carpenter, Niamh Dally, Thomas Dally and Isaac Knowles.