A PRIMARY school pupil is preparing for a challenge that would give many swimmers goosebumps — crossing the Firth of Forth for charity.

Emma Hudson-Brookfield is just ten years old and has never swum in Scotland’s chilly outdoor waters before.

But if she is successful, she will enter the record books as the youngest person to swim the famous estuary.

The current world record was set by Joseph Feeney, who was 13 when he completed the feat in 1933.

Emma, from Galashiels, will be accompanied by her father Ian Hudson and four other members of the Team Shebeen swimming squad this weekend.

The Sunday challenge aims to raise funds for Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) and a safety boat will be on hand as the swimmers battle the waves.

Starting off at Town Pier in North Queensferry, Emma and the team will swim approximately 1.2 miles to reach Hawes Pier, South Queensferry.

The crossing, which will see them swim between the Forth Bridge and Forth Road Bridge, is expected to take them one and a half hours.

Forecasts for the day suggest they will have to contend with showery and windy conditions, with the air temperature at around 12C and the water about the same.

Emma said: “I’ve never done anything like this before so I’m a mixture of nerves and excitement about the swim. Luckily my dad is my coach and he has completed two swims across the Forth before, so he knows what he is doing.

“I have been training once a week and found building up lengths in the pool has helped as it has become easier each time.

“I have never been swimming outdoors in the UK, it has only ever been in the sea on holiday.

“I think the work of the charity is amazing so I really hope that by doing this swim that we can contribute in some way.”

Yesterday supporters had pledged almost 40 per cent of the £1000 fundraising target to the Team Shebeen page on the Justgiving website.

The swim team was set up in 2012 by Hudson, the co-founder of South African-style Shebeen Steakhouse and Braai in Edinburgh.

Other members include Daros Gray, Matteo Guglielmino and Doug Macdonald, with Mark Blyth acting as safety co-ordinator.

They said they had chosen to undertake the challenge for ECHC “because of the incredible work they undertake daily”.

Previously known as the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, the independent charity has contributed millions of pounds to aid young patients on the city’s specialist wards for more than 25 years.

It also provides support at St John’s Hospital in Livingston and at community healthcare facilities across the Lothians, Fife and the Borders.

This work helps more than 110,000 youngsters every year.

Vicki Watson, community fundraiser at ECHC, said: “We are so grateful to be Team Shebeen’s chosen charity for this incredible world record breaking attempt by Emma.

“Everyone at ECHC wishes the whole team the best of luck for this commendable swim across the Firth of Forth and that the tides play in their favour.

“The money raised will have a huge impact on the lives of young patients and their families and make a phenomenal difference during their time at hospital.”