An 87-year-old Bolton man once dubbed the “father of fitness” will undertake three big swimming challenges to help bring a facility to the town which could help his wife after a stroke.

Ken Heathcote’s wife Brenda recently visited Alkincoats Park in Colne to go crown green bowling.

The facility is set up for those who have had a stroke, with around 15 other people in her position taking part.

And Mr Heathcote was stunned to see that she was bowling with her right arm, which had been paralysed for two years.

Now he is raising funds to have similar facilities set up at Edgworth Bowling Club.

He is also raising funds for the Stroke Association.

To achieve this he will swim a mile at the River Dee in Chester, followed up by a two mile swim at Ullswater on August 18 before finishing up by swimming pier to pier at Blackpool on August 21.

He said: “For the first time in two years Brenda bowled on the grass at Alkinscoat Park, she bowled for 45 minutes with some accuracy.

“She was bowling with her right arm, that has been paralysed for almost two years.

“That is why I want these facilities to go to Edgworth.”

Mr Heathcote will have a lifetime of fitness to inspire him to get the three challenges done.

He still weighs the same as when he left the army in 1956 and he set up the country’s first multi-fitness gym in Bolton.

In 1970, long before running became popular, he ran a marathon between Preston and Morecambe with around 30 competitors and no drinks stands.

He said: “My dad was a professional boxer and at 15 years old I started weight lifting.”

But he also said now he was just in the swims to get them done.

He said: “I am not racing, at the age of 87 who would I race against?”

His fundraising efforts can be supported here.