The property in Honestone Street following the fire and from which a body has now been recovered. Credit: Graham Hobbs
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05 Nov 2025
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05 Nov 2025
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Niamh Mcgrail is raising money for North Devon Hospice with an endurance swim challenge aged just 11.
An 11-year-old schoolgirl from Knowle is bidding to swim non-stop for 90 minutes next week to raise money for North Devon Hospice.
Niamh Mcgrail loves swimming and has been in and out of the water since before she was able to walk, so this Tuesday (August 26) she aims to swim for one-and-a-half hours without a break at Tarka Leisure Centre in Barnstaple.
Niamh has already raised more than £1,300 for the hospice via her online JustGiving page, but hopes more people will donate to add to the total.
The former Caen Community Primary School pupils was inspired to do her own fundraising for the hospice after her school hosted a playground fair, with pupils selling cakes and drinks to raise £1,100 for the recent Cuddle Bed Appeal.
Niamh said: “I really enjoyed helping raise the money and decided I was going to do another fundraiser for the hospice but I was going to do it using one of my strengths, swimming.
“I am going to swim by myself for 90 minutes in the pool, which is a lot more than I usually do in one go, so I feel very proud of myself. I am 11 and I've been having swimming lessons since I was teeny tiny and now I feel like I am a strong swimmer.
“I chose the hospice because I think that it is a great charity and it’s important that you feel cared for in a homely and comfortable environment when you are sick or at the end of your life.”
READ NEXT: Local businesses urged to sponsor a North Devon Hospice community nurse
Niamh’s mum Chloe added: “Her dad Wayne and I are very proud of her desire to help the hospice and the commitment she has shown to her swimming over the last few years. She has been having lessons since before she was able to walk.
“She has trained hard every week to be ready for the challenge. The reason she chose this is that she just decided one day that she wanted to do something 'good' that would help other people.
“Since then her swimming teacher Julie has been helping her prepare and she also went for a visit to the hospice to get a better picture of the great work they do.”
If you would like to support Niamh’s big swim challenge, please go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/niamhmcgrail
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