By Helen Garrand
Aaryan Mitra from Pudsey successfully completed a challenge to swim 70 lengths – or 1,500m – at Bramley Baths in aid of Children In Need.
Aged just seven, Aaryan Mitra who is autistic, only started learning to swim 18 months ago.
He now attends Bramley Baths five times a week to practise his swimming, which he enjoys.
Asking Aaryan why he chose to raise money for Children in Need, he replied: “I want people to see me as the ‘swimming boy’ who helps everyone feel happy and have a better life. I want to help other boys and girls and make them smile.”
Aaryan is described as ‘extremely competitive’ by his mother, Shivarna Mitra. She said: “On hearing in social media and via his swimming instructors the announcement that radio presenters were each swimming 1,000m for Children In Need, Aaryan was sure he could swim further and raise money for the children at same time.”
Excited Aaryan also got to meet Pudsey Bear and local councillors at the 2p Challenge event at Pudsey Leisure Centre. Councillor Dawn Seary (Cons, Pudsey) said: “Aaryan has done an amazing job with his mission, he has raised a fantastic amount with his efforts.”
Aaryan will be helping to turn on Bramley Christmas Lights and has lots of other challenges including swimming 200 lengths and fundraising activities in the pipeline for next year. So far Aaryan has raised £480.
Donate to the Aaryan Fundraiser for Children In Need here.
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