A Keith teenager with a rare muscle-wasting disease is preparing to swim a charity mile in the hope she can help find her own cure.
Ellie Broadley has a condition called Bethlem myopathy – which causes extreme muscle weakness – and regularly swims for fitness and enjoyment.
Next Tuesday, the thirteen-year-old will face her toughest challenge in the pool yet, as she represents the North East of Scotland in this year’s Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s “Move a Mile for Muscles” challenge.
Over the course of four days, the Keith Grammar School pupil will complete 64 lengths to raise funds for vital research and support for families affected by muscle-wasting conditions.
Ellie said: “I love swimming because it gives me so much freedom to move, and I get to feel more normal when I’m in the pool. It just allows me to feel normal like everyone else.
“I’m happy that I’m helping people and I get to help a charity that’s close to my heart.
“I normally only swim 12 lengths, so it’s going to be tough and I think I’ll be pretty tired by the end of it, but I’m determined to do it.
“There’s not a lot I can do, but I can do this.
“So many people have helped me out, I just want to help out someone else and maybe help find a cure.”
Ellie’s mum, Mandy Broadley, said: “I’m really proud of her.
“It will be quite hard on her and by the end of the week she will be knackered, but she’s got heaps of sponsors and she’s already raised more than £400.”
Ellie is collecting sponsors on her Just Giving page, and hundreds of people all over the country will be fundraising between August 23 and 31 in a variety of ways from walking and swimming to horse riding and zip-sliding.