BRAVE Damian Ng, 28, braved the cold, choppy waters of the Serpentine in Hyde Park to raise money for the charity that has helped achieve success as a para swimmer

Mr Ng is sports development officer with SportsAble - the Maidenhead based charity in Braywick Road which provides facilities and opportunities for disabled people to achieve sporting success.

His swimming challenge in Hude Park was part of SportsAble's "PUSH Yourself" challenge.

He said: "I chose to swim the 'Swim Serpentine' as a way of raising crucial funds for SportsAble as a way of giving back to the charity that has given me so much over the years. It is such a prestigious event to take part in, especially as it was the open water swimming venue for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

"Swimming in a venue with fellow like-minded swimmers is something I relish.

"Having the challenge of a disability from birth (I have Achondroplasia also known as Dwarfism) physical contact sport as well as many conventional sports was always out of the question and having undergone several limb lengthening surgical procedures as a child, I had to use swimming as rehabilitation and physiotherapy.

"I joined SportsAble at the age of 11 and with their knowledge and resources to support they helped me escape isolation, make new friends and get stronger, they helped lift my spirits and encouraged me to stay active and positive."

A record breaking 6,000 swimmers of all ages and abilities took to the water at Swim Serpentine in Hyde Park’s famous Serpentine Lake - the charity event is now in its third year and offers the chance of taking on half mile, one mile, two mile and 'super six' swims.

If you would like to support Mr Ng's fundraising just follow this link https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DamianSwimSerpentine