A super-fit Bradford swimmer is set to take the fundraising plunge for Cancer Research UK when she joins a host of celebrities in an endurance charity event.

Liane Llewellyn, 29, of Denholme, will be taking part in The Swim, an epic relay team challenge which will see celebrities tackle a 56-mile swim across the Irish Sea.

The long-distance swimmer is one of two people selected by Swim Trek, The Swim’s event partner, to be the team’s ‘super swimmers’.

They will bring invaluable open water swimming expertise, knowledge and strength to The Swim team and help the team complete this gruelling once in a lifetime challenge to cross the Irish Sea.

So far, the team includes singer Ronan Keating, Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson, ‘The Gadget Show’ host Jason Bradbury and TV presenter Jenny Frost, who are aiming to raise £1 million for Cancer Research UK.

Liane will line up with the celebrity swimmers when the event takes place in September. She said: “I’m really excited about the challenge. The Irish Sea is notoriously rough and cold. It’s unknown territory for me but I love open water swimming and it’s for such a good cause. I knew this was something I couldn’t resist.”

Liane is now urging people in Yorkshire to dive in and support the fundraising drive by staging their own swimming-related activity sponsoring the team.

She is encouraging everyone to help make waves for Cancer Research UK because in 2009 her father Gywn, 64, who with mum Pat, 63, lives in Odsal, was diagnosed with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma – a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects the skin.

Liane said: “It was a shock when dad was diagnosed, but he is undergoing UV treatment at Bradford Royal Infirmary and, thank goodness, is doing really well.

“Also, my mum had two cousins who died of stomach cancer, Terry when he was only 39, and Maxine, who was in her early 40s and had three young children.

“My mum is undergoing genetic testing at Chapel Allerton Hospital in Leeds to see if there is any family link to the disease.

“As a family we’re all very aware of the importance of funding for research into better cancer treatment and hopefully an eventual cure. That’s why I’m thrilled to take part in The Swim. I’ll not only be doing something I love but also raising money for an excellent cause.”

Nicki Embleton, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Yorkshire said: “Everyone can get involved in The Swim, whether you are the next Mark Foster or a complete land lubber.

“By pooling the fundraising efforts of Liane and the celebrity relay team, local people who support them and those that stage their own activity, we hope to raise an amazing £1 million for Cancer Research UK.”

For more information visit: the-swim.co.uk