JELLYFISH stings couldn't stop an intrepid Greenock swimmer making waves to help adults with learning disabilities.

Marian Monk, from Octavia Terrace, swam from Kilcreggan to Greenock to raise money for Belville Community Garden.

The 47-year-old said the swim, which was organised by the Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club, was an exhilarating experience.

She said: "We were taken over in a rib boat to Kilcreggan and dropped off at the beach.

"We swam to the Royal West of Scotland Boat Club at the Esplanade - it's about 1.8 miles or 3k.

"It was tough but the event is well organised.

"I saw a lot of jellyfish and I ended up getting stung but I was wearing a wetsuit, so it wasn't too bad."

Marian, who works with the health and social care partnership as a day centre officer at the Fitzgerald Centre, was keen to raise money for the Belville project as she knows at first hand the excellent work they do to support people in the community.

She raised £465 for the project.

Marian said: "I work with a group of adults with additional support needs who are supported by the community garden one day a week.

"They come to Belville to do activities once a week.

"They make soup and sandwiches to prepare a healthy meal and then in the afternoon they do an activity organised by Belville, such as making hedgehog boxes and bat boxes."

Marian is keen to thank everyone who supported her fundraising swim.

Sally Clough, an environmental officer at Belville, said they are so grateful to Marian.

She said: "It's a great achievement for her and a wonderful thing to do.

"Marian is a very fit lady so is the perfect person to lead this group of guys.

"They are really interested in their health and they want to improve it so Marian is the ideal person to do that.

"The fact that she fundraised for Belville is great, I can't thank her enough."