Two boys aged just nine and ten took it upon themselves to help fight Ebola after seeing news of the deadly virus in West Africa on TV – and have managed to raise well over £3,000.
Leon and Louis Perry, who live in Kington Langley, saw the doctors in white suits on the news and wanted to do something to help.
Dad Mark Perry, 44, said: “The kids were a bit horrified by what they saw and said, ‘What can we do? We’re good at swimming’.”
His sons, who both go to By Brook Valley School in Yatton Keynell, set up a JustGiving page on the internet and both managed to swim their targets without stopping, nine-year-old Louis doing 1km in 25 minutes and his 10-year-old brother Leon 2km in 40 minutes.
Paralympic medallist Stephanie Millward, from Corsham, was so taken by the young boys’ efforts she went along to the Olympiad in Chippenham to surprise them.
She said: “I was taken aback by these two little boys with hearts of gold. I saw it in the Gazette & Herald and I was quite impressed. They did really well.”
Dr Perry said Leon and Louis were “buzzing with excitement” to see Stephanie.
The brothers, who are members of Chippenham Amateur Swimming Club, were also astounded to have raised 11 times their original target of £300.
Dr Perry said: “There have been so many generous people. The kids couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw that amount appear.”
The £3,315 raised will go to Médecins Sans Frontières and will pay for more protective suits. Donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/Leon-Louis-swim
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