A schoolboy is determined to make a splash through a swimming fundraiser in aid of Wiltshire Air Ambulance on Sunday.

Nine-year-old Owen Raisey, a pupil at North Bradley Primary School, will be swimming lengths at the pool based at Clarendon Academy, in Frome Road, between 4pm and 5pm.

Owen wants to support the charity which airlifted his great uncle Barry Matthews, 68, to Great Western Hospital, in Swindon, when he had a heart attack in Trowbridge in February 2012.

Mr Matthews, of Dursley Road, died in February this year, and Owen also wants to use the event to pay tribute to him.

Owen said: “I’m doing this because of the help that the air ambulance gave to my great uncle and I also want to help them save even more lives.”

So far, Owen, who lives in Drynham Park with parents Gayle, 33 and Glyn Raisey, 41, and little sister Phoebe, five, has received around £300 in sponsorship and he is hoping to raise even more money.

He said: “I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has already sponsored and I’m really looking forward to Sunday.”

Owen will be being cheered on during his fundraiser by family and friends.

Mrs Raisey said: “My uncle would be very proud of Owen, it is such a huge thing that he wants to do and shows what a big heart he has.

“The air ambulance was wonderful with my uncle after his heart attack, he was scared of flying but they provided great care for him and he couldn’t have spoken more highly of them.”

To sponsor Owen Raisey’s fundraiser, visit www.justgiving.com/owen-raisey