Belfast lad David Ferrin rose magnificently to the challenge at the Andersonstown Leisure Centre this week as he took part in his own swim test as part of the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice swimathon event which has been running accross Northern Ireland during September 2006.

David who is eight and a pupil at St.Teresa's on the Glen Road managed to raise £250 for children's hospice in the process.

"David is a truly special young lad and he is an inspiration to us all and his family should be extremely proud of him for what he has achieved today" Geoff Scott, Events Fundraiser, Northern Ireland Hospice Care