Wiltshire man, 79, swims 5,858 lengths for wife with MS

Bob Young swam the equivalent of driving from Trowbridge to London

A Wiltshire pensioner who's finished a 91mile (146km) charity swimming challenge says he "feels great".

Bob Young took on the challenge to swim 5,858 lengths to raise funds for a centre treating his wife who has had multiple sclerosis (MS) for 15 years.

The 79-year-old has so far raised £1,225 for a therapy centre in Warminster.

He said: "This challenge for me is over, but her challenge goes on day after day. It never finishes."

Mr Young, from Pewsey, swam the huge distance over the course of this year - the equivalent of driving from Trowbridge to London.

His wife, Ann Young, has a type of MS called primary progressive which he previously told the BBC was a "life-changing situation".

Ann Young (left) has a type of MS which is a "life-changing situation"

'So proud of him'

Mr Young said: "I feel absolutely fine. On the last lap I went a bit faster than I normally do just for the hell of it."

"I breathed at the end, that was to pause and enjoy the moment.

"It's quite something to finish and lots of thoughts in your head when that happens. It was really great, and I feel great."

Mrs Young said: "I feel tired, just sitting here watching him do that swim.

"But all the effort that Robert has put in to this challenge and to see him finish it, and finish it in a nice way like that, I'm so proud of him."

Bob Young completed the challenge in the pool at The Vale Community Campus in Pewsey

He completed the challenge to raise money for the Wessex MS Therapy Centre in Warminster.

Mr Young said he takes "a lot of inspiration" from his wife, adding that she "keeps going when times are tough and when it really hurts".

She said: "I've got a double challenge. A challenge of living with MS, and of living with you [Bob]. It's not easy."

The Wessex MS Therapy Centre is a self-funded charity which offers help to those with MS, but also if people have cancer, injuries, chronic fatigue and many other conditions.

It offers support such as physiotherapy, counselling, massage therapy, nutritional advice and yoga.

Asked if he would do another challenge next year, Mr Young said "I'm not saying no, but who knows".

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