A six-year-old boy will attempt to swim the width of the English Channel in aid of Diabetes UK.

Maceo Bellwood has signed up for the Swim 22 challenge with support from dad Ashley and mum Kay, who together make up team MAKS Winners - coined from the initials of their first names.

The trio are tasked with swimming 22 miles in the Stour Centre pool, in Tannery Lane, Ashford, by May 22 - the equivalent of the width of the channel between Dover and Calais.

They kicked off the challenge yesterday and completing 92 lengths of their 1,416 target.

Ashley, a hairdresser, said: “We did really well. Maceo beat his current record.

"He was up to 22 lengths but did 25 on Sunday. I matched this and my wife did 42.”

Maceo, a pupil at Brabourne Primary School, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in August last year after his parents noticed the symptoms of increased thirst, hunger and trips to the toilet.

He now has to regularly check his blood glucose levels throughout the day, and every 30 minutes when exercising, as well as injecting himself with calculated doses of insulin four times a day.

Ashley, from Brabourne Lees, adds: “Diabetes UK have supported our family from the beginning of our journey with Type 1 through giving factual information, emotional support, schools advice and providing us with chances to meet other families to ensure that Maceo has the best opportunities to live a happy and healthy life reaching his full potential and beyond.

“We’re hoping to raise funds for the charity and raise awareness of the condition, and we want people to know what symptoms to look out for.”

The family plan to swim 102 lengths a week divided over two sessions and hope to raise £500 for the charity.

To sponsor team MAKS Winners visit www.justgiving.com/MAKSwinners/.