A PREGNANT Barnoldswick mum will swim the length of the English Channel to raise money for Diabetes UK.

Samantha Lamb, of Smith Street, is part of team of 13 people to join in Swim 22, a nationwide challenge running from February 22 to May 22 to swim 22 miles, over a long period of time or all in one go, at their local pool to raise awareness and funds for a charity that helps diabetics across the country.

Samantha, a customer focus manager at West Craven Sports Centre in Barnoldswick, says the cause is close to her heart because her six-year-old son, Callum, has diabetes.

"When Callum was two years old, he was really unwell and was constantly to and from the doctors," she said. "They diagnosed him with tonsillitis three times. He will have been born with diabetes, but the tonsillitis set it off.

"Six weeks after his second birthday, he felt sick and thirsty and so we went to the GPs on a Monday.

"By Tuesday, he was a very poorly boy and we took him Blackburn Royal Infirmary, where he was diagnosed with ketoacidosis, which is an acid build up in the blood because his body wasn't producing the insulin to fight it off."

"He spent four nights in intensive care and another two on the ward," said Samantha, who says Callum is now leading a normal life.

"Four years down the line, he's a normal and happy six-year-old who enjoys ju-jitsu, football and swimming.

"He had up to four insulin injections a day up until January, but he now uses a pump which drip feeds the insulin to him.

"We let him do everything a normal child does and we don't hold him back," stressed Samantha. "We treat Callum and his four-year-old brother Alfie the same. No sweets during the afternoon, but it's ok at mealtimes."

Samantha, an experienced swimmer, is looking forward to the challenge but she has an additional 'challenge' of her own.

She is part of team of 13 people to take up the challenge, however, the Barnoldswick mum will be "swimming for two" as she is 19 weeks pregnant.

"I'm used to swimming, so there will be no extra stress on my body," said Samantha. "I'll just have a nice relaxing swim."

Over the next three months, Samantha will be swimming two miles each time she enters the pool, and with a mile equalling 64 lengths, by the end of the challenge she will have completed 1,408 lengths!

Anyone who wants to take part can sign up at their nearest swim centre.