A BRAVE little girl's battle with leukaemia has inspired a local lifeguard to take the plunge to help arrange a special treat for her.

Michael Tormey is taking on an eight hour sponsored swim today to raise funds for four-year-old Aria Brereton, daughter of friends Natalie and Darren, who was diagnosed with cancer in April.

Aria, whose mum Natalie Hitchinson comes from Greenock, has been undergoing gruelling chemotherapy, with a central line fitted to her chest to make it easier to receive blood and medication.

Michael, 37, will be taking on the swim at the Waterfront Leisure Centre, where he has been a lifeguard for 19 years, to raise funds to send the courageous youngster to Legoland when she is well enough to go.

His wife Jennifer has been friends with Aria's mum Natalie since they attended St Columba's High School together.

Aria and her family - including brothers Jacob and Leo - are currently living in Ireland, and the Tormey family wanted to show their support whilst they cannot be together.

Michael, dad to Allie and Ethan, told the Tele: "Natalie and Darren are really good friends of ours and it's absolutely tragic what is happening to Aria.

"We wish we could do more and this is just our way of doing our bit from a distance.

"I thought it made sense to do a sponsored swim, however I'm a little bit nervous as I've never completed anything quite as full on.

"I'm looking forward to it and will have great support to cheer me on."

Since undergoing chemotherapy, little Aria has lost her hair and has faced other hardships such as having a spinal tap and a viral infection which put her second dosage of chemo on hold.

The youngster's last lumbar puncture and bone marrow test showed no signs of leukaemia, meaning her next treatment will be less intense.

As well as Jennifer and the couple's children watching Michael take on the challenge from poolside, fellow Inverclyde Leisure lifeguard Tyler O'Donnell will be on hand to swim during his short breaks.

Jennifer, who is a home care supervisor, said: "Aria and her family mean a lot to us.

"Natalie was actually the bridesmaid at our wedding.

"It's so hard not to see them and support them during this time.

"We usually see them a few times a year as they come home to visit Natalie's family who still live locally.

"With the lockdowns we've not had a chance to see them at all and the recent circumstances with wee Aria make that even harder.

"Aria loves Lego, so we're so delighted at how much support we've had trying to raise enough to send her to Legoland.

"We hope we can raise as much as possible - it's our way to support them from afar."

Michael will be starting his sponsored swim at 7am today and expects some friendly faces to pop in and show their support, with over £2,000 raised already.

He added: "A lot of the Waterfront pool users have said they'd come in and do some lengths on the day to encourage me on.

"I'm so grateful to everyone who has donated to the fundraiser."

You can donate to Michael's fundraiser online at bit.ly/3whj0Oi