A 17-YEAR-OLD athlete has set herself the challenge of completing a triathlon of epic proportions.

Imogen Boddy, a former Terrington School pupil, who now goes to Sedbergh School, will undertake the task, which consists of a 10k swim across Lake Windermerefrom its southern tip, followed by a marathon and then a 25-mile cycle.

Imogen, who lives Whitwell-on-the-Hill, was inspired to take part after hearing a talk by one of her school’s alumni last year and has also decided to raise money for two charities.

“Completing the challenge will be a huge personal achievement, but I wanted to build in a sense of motivation beyond that,” she said.

“I have therefore decided to raise money for Cancer Research, because it affects so many people and in my short life has already affected family members and close friends, and also Re-Start Africa, an orphanage in Kenya which has links with Sedbergh School.

“I have had so much support from teachers and pupils, which is very encouraging.”

Having nearly completed her BTEC in sport after joining the sixth form last year, Imogen said she was keen to invest her remaining time at Sedbergh in training and completing a significant personal physical challenge.

She is one of her school’s top all round female athletes; she plays hockey, netball, lacrosse, squash, fives and tennis, and took her first dip in open water last October.

Last year she also won Sedbergh’s sportswoman of the year.

Imogen will do the triathlon on June 29.

She is currently seeking sponsorship for kit and hopes that people will support her fundraising efforts - at the time of writing she has raised more than £3,000. Visit virginmoneygiving.com/imoboddy