Two brave 11-year-olds are taking part in a 1.5km swim for charity.

Skyla Page, of Sible Hedingham, wanted to take part in Marie Curie National Swimathon after hearing about the good work of the charity’s nurses at school.

Her friend Amy Bright, of Great Yeldham, decided to join her.

The girls, who both attend St Giles Primary School in Great Maplestead, will each swim 1.5kms.

The challenge will be particularly difficult for Skyla as she suffers from a debilitating bone condition called Perthes Disease.

The condition means the top of the thigh bone in the hip joint softens and breaks down.

In the UK, about 1 in 1,200 children will get Perthes' disease and it is more common in boys than girls.

Skyla underwent a major operation in 2012 and has spent most of her childhood on crutches and in a wheelchair.