CALNE director Mark Rickaby is taking on for a 2.7km open water swim off the coast of Cornwall next month to raise money for the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society.

Mr Rickaby, director of Calne-based accountancy firm Sunflower Accounts Ltd, is taking the plunge into the icy waters to raise funds for a charity which supports people like him.

The Calne resident has an incurable condition called Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) which affects the lower back and can lead to fusing of the bones of the spine.

He was diagnosed in 2007 and has to maintain a healthy diet and fitness regime to manage the pain caused by AS and to prevent a worsening of the symptoms.

The Sunflower Accounts co-founder is raising funds for the charity throughout 2015 and his first fundraising effort is to take part in the Near-Water Inn to Inn Event 2.7km open water sea swim in Cornwall on Saturday June 20.

Mr Rickaby said: “This is my first sea swim and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been training by swimming at Calne Leisure Centre and Cotswold Lakes and my aim is to complete the course in about 45 minutes.

“However this is not a race, it’s a test of endurance and my real purpose is to raise funds for NASS, a small but important charity which helps people living with a potentially debilitating condition.

“My aim is raise at least another £250 by taking part in this challenge, in addition to our company’s regular charitable donations.”

It is estimated about 200,000 people in the UK have AS and the average age at which symptoms occur is 24. NASS is a Bath-based charity which provides support to those with AS and helps fund research into the condition.

To support Mr Rickaby in his open water swim visit www.justgiving.com/Mark-Rickaby