A family swim has raised £500 to help bring Christmas cheer to disadvantaged children in Newham.
Colin Grainger, a patron of the Kevin Jenkins OBE Christmas Toy Appeal and former editor of the Newham Recorder, took part in the sponsored swim with his granddaughters Laura, 11, and Natalie, eight, to raise funds for the long-running charity campaign.
Colin, 71, has supported the appeal for 48 years and completed the challenge after recently having two major operations, a double hernia and rotator cuff surgery.
He managed 34 lengths, while Laura swam 30 and Natalie 20, totalling 84 lengths between them.
He said: "They did brilliantly.
"It was a personal best for both of them and their parents and I are so proud of them.
"I am proud to be a patron of the toy appeal campaign.
"The need is greater than ever this year.
"It is vital we get new gifts to young people who would otherwise go without."
So far, they have raised £500, with a target of £750.
The charity has set up an appeal gift list on Amazon - at amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/3KOW2QDDVQZ3P?ref_=wl_share - with a selection of gifts organisers hope to put into the Christmas stockings this year.
The gifts cover varying ages and price levels, and any purchased will be automatically delivered direct to the appeal.
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Cash donations are also welcomed via the campaign's JustGiving site -justgiving.com/campaign/xmasappeal25.
Donations can be made in person at the Terence Brown Arc in the Park, Bethell Avenue, from 9am to 5pm on weekdays and from 10am to 1pm on Saturdays.
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