Eight-year-old Cindy Gholami is set to be one of the youngest ever participants in a gruelling 5,000m swimming challenge.

The schoolgirl, from Islington, will be taking part in Swimathon 2014 – the UK’s biggest underwater fundraiser – over the weekend of March 21-23 for Sport Relief.

The Islington events, held at Highbury and Cally swimming baths, will involve the borough’s swimmers joining thousands across the country in the fundraising challenge.

Simon Ibrahim, swimming coordinator at the Aquaterra Aquatics Academy, said: “Our customers and staff have been passionate supporters of Swimathon for many years.

“In 2013, Highbury Pool was ranked second in London for participation and we’d like to go one better in 2014 by encouraging as many swimmers as possible to get involved.”