TWO young sisters organised a sponsored swim to raise money for one of their relatives, who suffers from “locked in” syndrome.

Charli Fairbrother, aged nine, and her sister Georgia, aged seven, of Westhoughton, took the plunge together.

They raised £300 for David Bridden, who is their aunt’s father.

The 50-year-old, from Leigh, has been left completely paralysed after suffering a stroke last October.

He has been in hospital ever since and is unable to move or speak, but he is aware of everything that is going on and he communicates with friends and family using eye movements.

The money raised will help towards his rehabilitation.

Charli swam a mile at Westhoughton Leisure Centre, while Georgia, who was ill on the day, did half a mile.

Charli, a pupil at St Bartholomew's CE Primary School, said: “The swim was really good. It was hard work and I got tired. We wanted to do something for David and came up with the idea. We got sponsorship money from our friends and I am pleased with the amount we raised.”

Mr Bridden’s daughter, Rachael, aged 24, who works as a travel counsellor in Bolton, added: “My dad had not been ill before he had the stroke, it was totally out of the blue.

“He is hopefully going to be moved to Bury soon where he will get more rehabilitation and we are trying to raise money for that.

“It is so frustrating for him because he can’t do anything physically, but he is aware of what is going on and he communicates with his eyes, up for yes, down for no.

“We are trying to do as much as we can for him and keeping our fingers crossed for an improvement.”