A MUM is taking on an open water swim in freezing cold temperatures to raise money for Alder Hey Hospital.

Vanessa Anderson has so far raised more than £3,000 for the hospital who is currently looking after her daughter.

Four-year-old Grace suffers with a complex heart condition and has already had four heart surgeries, the first when she was just three months old.

She is now waiting for a major open heart surgery without which her heart would eventually fail.

To say thank you to the hospital cardiology team, Mrs Anderson with the help of four of her friends are swimming a mile of coast line in Anglesey from Traeth Bychan to Moelfre.

Mrs Anderson, aged 42, of New Leicester Close in Tyldesley said: "We have had fantastic care from the doctors and nurses and we just wanted to give something back and raise as much as possible.

"Our target was £1,000 but we are on around £3,000 at the moment.

"We want to support the hospital because it's been so amazing and Grace will be in their care until she is an adult.

"Grace has a very complex heart condition and she also has skull problems so she has had to undergo cranial facial surgery. Her oxygen levels are much lower than other children's, she is operating at about 80 per cent at the moment but unfortunately to have this next surgery she needs to get worse before they can operate so her oxygen levels need to drop to 75 per cent which is very low and leaves us in a bit of a waiting game.

"But she is a really happy child and very tough."

Mrs Anderson, who is married to Mike and is also mother to Grace's twin brother James will be tackling the swim challenge on July 18 with her friends Catherine Hughes, Amanda Dunlop, Catherine Richards and Sarah Rakestraw.

The group of friends, who all own holiday caravans in Traeth Bychan have been practising ahead of the swim and have done their research on open water swimming.

The mum of twins added: "It is quite a challenge particularly because it is out at sea but I have been practising in Tyldesley baths but I think it is the temperature of the water that is going to be worst thing about it but Grace is going to be there cheering us on."