MOST nine-year-old boys traditionally spend their summer holidays climbing trees, possibly these days in some kind of computer game.

But Jacob Knight proved he really was a knight in shining armour this summer.

He not only swam the entire length of the English Channel at his local pool, but also ran home afterwards to clock up the equivalent distance – about 22 miles – on land.

And he did it all to raise money for terminally ill children.

Jacob, who lives in Saxons Way, Didcot, with his mum Kim, dad Gary and little sister Alex, was inspired to take on the challenge by a boy in his year at Moulsford Prep School who contracted a brain infection.

Jacob said: “When Oliver had his brain infection, it made me think about how lucky I was and how other people are not so lucky.”

Oliver came out of the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, but Jacob was still inspired to help others.

A friend of his at the Barramundi swimming club had recently swum the length of the channel at the Didcot Wave pool, but Jacob wanted to go one better.

He wanted to raise money for children at Helen and Douglas House children’s hospice in Oxford.

To do that, he decided he would swim the entire length of the channel in as many days, but also run the distance home afterwards, one mile a day.

And he did it.

“I really enjoyed it,” said Jacob, “and I kept on going because I knew it was for charity.”

On his first day of “running home” alone he ran four miles and then managed to do an average of a mile a day.

Jacob completed his challenge last Saturday.

He said he was exhausted.

So far he has got more than £400 in donations from friends and family.

Helen and Douglas House community fundraiser Poppy Hanbury said: “It is marvellous that Jacob has done this in aid of children who visit the hospice. It is a lovely thing to do and a great achievement.

“Well done Jacob.”

Jacob’s mum Kim, 32, said her little knight had always been a sensitive soul.

“If anything he is probably a bit too sensitive,“ she said, “he is very caring and considerate.”

She said that little sister Alex, five, had been dragged to the swimming pool and to watch Jacob running, but was very proud of her big brother and keeps telling everyone he has been raising money for charity.

Jacob hopes to deliver the money to Helen and Douglas House in person in the next few weeks.

To make a donation go to my.helenanddouglas.org.uk/jacobknight