A BRAVE mum is set to swim St Mary's Loch in memory of her son - despite being terrified of the water.

Donna Nelson has spent the past few weeks overcoming her fear and learning to swim.

The 49-year-old's son Christopher tragically died after falling into a canal while on holiday in Amsterdam with his fiancée just over four years ago.

Since the 24-year-old's death in 2015 Donna, along with family and friends, have raised more than £30,000 for the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity.

But she admits the forthcoming 20km relay loch swim will be her biggest challenge yet.

Donna, who lives in Eskbank, told us: "I’ve not been in a swimming pool since Christopher died.

"Even when I stand in the shower, I can’t put my face under the water.

"There hasn’t been a morning in the last four years where I’ve stood in the shower and not thought about what happened to my son.

“It has taken me weeks to put my face under the water at my swimming lessons.

"I didn’t understand how quiet it was under there – it makes me think, ‘was it quiet for Christopher'?

"I hope this challenge will help me find peace somehow.”

Christopher's ashes were scattered on the banks of picturesque Yarrow Valley loch in 2016.

She believes not only the St Mary's Loch venue is fitting for her swim, but also the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity which will benefit from all proceeds.

Donna added: "Christopher was a mad sports person as a little boy, so we were on first name terms with the A&E staff at the Sick Kids as he had so many sports-related injuries.

"He was very athletic and used to really inspire me to do things I would never do.

"He encouraged me to do the Couch to 5K and used to send me music to run to. He was my inspiration for most things in life.

"He would never believe that I would take swimming lessons, and especially not that I would swim in open water.”

The grieving mum and her family and friends have so far raised funds by completing a series of challenges since Christopher's death, including a Tough Mudder and a 200-mile cycle.

Rachel Baxter, director of fundraising and marketing at Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, told us: “We are enormously grateful to be Christopher’s family’s chosen charity.

"Donna is hugely admirable and inspiring and we wish her the very best of luck with this new challenge.

“The money they are raising will have a huge impact on the lives of children, young people and their families and make a phenomenal difference during their time in hospital. We cannot thank the family enough for their incredible continued support.”

Donna, along with friends and family, will swim a 20km relay in St Mary's Loch on Saturday, May 16.

To support the challenge, donations can be made at: https://teamechc.everydayhero.com/uk/donna-s-open-water-swim-challenge