A TALENTED Bury swimmer whose mother has battled leukaemia has become the face of a charity which aims to combat the disease.

Lewis Coleman has become a sports ambas-sador for blood cancer charity Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, to raise awareness of the conditions.

His mother Mags, who lives in Tottington with her husband Joe, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in June, 2012, and has since undergone chemo-therapy and a bone marrow transplant.

The family was told by doctors that treatment had been successful.

Lewis and his 10-year-old brother Oliver, a pupil at Greenmount Primary, were part of a 100-strong squad which broke the 100x100m record to raise more than £26,000 for the charity in Sheffield earlier this year.

Lewis said: “My world was rocked when mum was diagnosed with leuk-aemia and I wanted to do my bit so that more people can have access to new drugs and clinical trials.

“It’s a real honour for me to become sports ambassador for Leuk-aemia and Lymphoma Research. The charity does amazing work researching blood cancer, and I have seen first-hand what its great work can do to help save lives.

"I’m really excited to be part of that.” The 22-year-old is readying himself to compete at this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in the 200m freestyle, 200m individual medley, and 4x200m freestyle relay.

Emma Jones, regional manager for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, added: “Lewis’ Swim4Leukaemia event high-lighted to so many people what he and his family had gone through, and the importance of funding clinical drugs trials.

“We were all inspired by his tenacity and ability to make things happen.”