A BIG-HEARTED Barrhead High pupil has raised nearly �500 after swimming the equivalent of two and a half kilometres in the town's swimming pool.

Ailish Douglas, 14, from Cross Stobs, swam 130 lengths of Barrhead Sport Centre's 25 metre pool to raise the cash for Alzheimer Scotland on Friday last week.

The eager third year pupil revealed how she decided to dive headfirst into the challenge after being inspired by her gran.

She said: "Charities like Alzheimer Scotland can make a lot of difference with the work that they do, and our family uses the services that they provide.

"I felt that I should be doing something to give something back and swimming is something that I enjoy and have been doing since I was four and invited people to sponsor me in my I can swim 100 lengths challenge." Ailish's grandmother Pearl Potter, 87, suffers from severe memory difficulties and moved in with the family last summer having moved 450 miles from England to their Paisley Road home.

The whole family has striven to become pro-active in spreading awareness of the disease throughout Scotland, with her grandmother joining a national group that campaigns for a change in government policy towards the disease.

Ailish said; "My gran joined the Scottish Dementia Working Group so she will be doing her bit as well to campaign for change. "We are so proud of her - they are a national group whose members speak out themselves to change policy and get better services for everyone affected by dementia.

"I know they will use extra money well to make a real difference for a lot of people." Alzheimers and dementia cause a gradual decline in brain functionality and abilities, and can effect everything from memory and thinking speed to the ability to speak or make clear decisions.

Severe cases can result in complete memory loss.

Ailish added: "It would be nice though if there was a cure or something that would slow things down more than we can already.

"Having her memory so badly affected and relying so much on others is very frustrating for Gran - so I also want some money to go to research.

"Alzheimer Scotland will direct this money towards its best use." Ailish will continue to accept donations on her Just Giving page online until March 24 at www.justgiving.com/ailishswim100.