SCHOOLBOY Tom Rosenegk has completed his first triathlon at the age of nine to raise money for Cancer Research in memory of his grandfather.

Tom of Bath Road, Devizes, decided back in January he wanted to raise money to help beat cancer after his grandad Graham Rosenegk, 77, who once owned Devizes only TV shop, was diagnosed with the disease.

Sadly Mr Rosenegk died a week afterTom completed the Bowood Triathlon and raise £625 for charity. His parents James and Sally and his brother and sisters Olivia, 13, Imogen, 11 and Will, six, were there to cheer him on.

Tom said: "I want to raise funds for Cancer Research so that one day people will no longer have to live and suffer with this disease. I did it for Grandpa and all cancer sufferers for Cancer Research UK because I want to see a cure for cancer."

In addition to being spurred into action by his grandfather's diagnosis Tom, who is a pupil at Rowde Primary, was also made aware of cancer after headmistress Lorraine Colquhoun was found to have breast cancer.

Rowde Primary has held many fundraising events for cancer charities over the past year.

Tom entered the Bowood race back in January and started his training regime with early morning lake swims at Cotswold Water Park. His dad said: "He is a fit and active nine-year-old boy who is full of energy and likes to run, ride, swim and play football.

"He doesn't belong to any particular club but was having regular swimming lessons at Calne Leisure Centre with their Aqualetes programme.

"He finished 28th in his age category, TriStars1 for ages 9 to 10 and was smiling all the way round."

His parents are proud of his efforts and his sisters have now started training for a triathlon taking place in September.

Mr Rosenegk said: "Tom has been amazing. When his Grandpa was diagnosed with cancer he decided early on that he wanted to do something to help find a cure. "We spoke about a sports event and when we saw Bowood Triatholn in our search results he said that's the one he wanted to do.

"On his own he found the Cancer Research website and registered as a fundraiser - they sent him the T-shirt that he wore - and we set up his JustGiving page. Grandpa himself told Tom how proud he was of him as we all are."

To support Tom go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Tom-Rosenegk