COMPANY director Mark Rickaby has raised more than £600 with his open water swim off the coast of Cornwall.

Mr Rickaby, 38, of Calne, was raising money for the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society, a national charity founded in Bath.

The charity supports people, like Mr Rickaby, with the incurable condition Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) which affects the lower back and can lead to fusing of the bones in the spine.

Mr Rickaby, who was diagnosed in 2007 and is a director of Sunflower Accounts Ltd, has to maintain a healthy diet and fitness regime to manage the pain caused by AS and to prevent a worsening of the symptoms.

He was hoping to raise £250 from his 2.7km open water swim for the charity which receives precious little funding for its research but has more than double that amount.

He said: “I’m overwhelmed by the support shown to me in this very personal challenge I set myself and money is still coming in.

“To date, I’ve raised more than £600 which is just amazing. I’d like to thank everyone who has made a contribution.”

As co-founder of Sunflower Accounts with his wife Steph, the couple has pledged to raise funds for NASS throughout 2015.

To support Mr Rickaby in his open water swim visit www.justgiving.com/Mark-Rickaby