DARLINGTON Building Society’s finance director has swum the length of Coniston Lake in Cumbria to show his gratitude for a charity that helped his son.

Christopher White raised more than £1,300 for The Tiny Lives Trust, which helps to care for premature and sick new-born babies at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

The charity supported Mr White’s family when his baby son was poorly and Mr White said the charity was very close to his heart.

He added: “My son, Finnian, had a difficult first few weeks which resulted in him needing surgery.

“This was a very tough time for my family but thanks to the work of the Newcastle RVI and Tiny Lives my son has now made a full recovery and I thought it would be great to give something back.

“The swim was certainly very challenging but definitely worth it, I am very grateful to those who supported me and helped me raise a fantastic amount for such a worthy cause.”

The challenge of swimming 5.25 miles is thought to be the equivalent of running a marathon on land and Mr White completed it in just over three hours.

Darlington Building Society have also committed to matching the total he raised.