Two Dorset pupils are preparing to swim 22 miles - the length of the English Channel – at their school pool to raise vital funds for Diabetes UK.

Katty Mackaness, 13, and Ellie Harris, 12, who attend Port Regis School in Motcombe, near Shaftesbury, expect to be swimming for about five hours each to reach their 1,416 length goal.

They are taking part in Swim22, Diabetes UK’s annual swim challenge, which offers participants the chance to swim the length of the English Channel in a pool of their choice.

The dedicated duo have already raised £2,200 for Diabetes UK for the gruelling challenge on Sunday, February 10.

They chose to support the charity as Ellie has had with Type 1 diabetes since she was four years old. People with Type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin, and have to receive insulin through injections or a pump.

It is not clear exactly what causes Type 1 diabetes and it is not preventable.

Ellie said: “I have to inject four times a day to control my blood glucose levels. When my levels go low, I get grumpy, sleepy and lose concentration, which can affect me at school.

“My friends have been fantastic and they will often notice when my levels are going low before me.

“They help me with carbohydrate counting and make sure I never feel left out.”

Ellie’s mum, Sue, said the girls have been swimming regularly in preparation for their mammoth swim. She said: “They have both worked so hard training for the event and I feel really proud of them.”

To donate to Ellie and Katty’s challenge go to justgiving.com/swim22channelchallenge Ellie lives in Silton, near Gillingham, and Katty lives in Semley, near Shaftesbury.