A charity superhero from Swindon is in the top four of the South West Pride of Britain awards.

Sam Pierce, 30, from Toothill, is in the top four of the nominations for the South West Pride of Britain Awards this year.

Having done 21 challenges in 2022 to raise money in time for World Down's Syndrome Day, he raised over £4000 for Swindon Down’s Syndrome Society. 

His sister, Debby, was the one who had nominated him for the awards since she was so proud of everything he had done.

Sam's mum, Leslye Russell-Pierce, said: "She got a phone call one day and sort of went away to answer it.

"She came back smiling a few minutes later and just said that I would be getting a phone call in a few minutes.

"I was shaking when I found out, I just couldn't believe it. I'm just so proud of Sam."

Sam has been fundraising for different charities since he was 5 years old, and after a brief break during Covid, he decided to do 21 challenges this year to raise money for his chosen charity.

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Some of these challenges have included going on the country's fastest zipline, working a shift at ASDA, surfing, going on a jet ski.

"I think one of my favourite things we did was riding every single ride at Thorpe Park," Leslye said.

"I was very achy the next day, but it was worth it. I loved it."

All challenges were sponsored by generous family and friends.

"Everything has been funded by friends and family members through Christmas and Birthday presents.

"So no money has been taken from the fundraised fund to pay for these challenges."

Leslye shared photos of Sam's adventure on social media platforms with the hashtag #ChangingPerspectives with the hope of show people the other side of people with Down's Syndrome and other disabilities, and that they are capable of more than people might first expect.

"By the end of the challenge, the hashtag received more than a quarter of a million likes," Leslye said.

The hashtag had been shared across several online communities focused on Down's Syndrome, and Leslye received a lot of praise and compliments for bringing awareness to this.

"We've been contacted by parents of kids with Down's Syndrome who have said they would never have let their 18-year-old daughter do the things that we let Sam do.

"In the end, it's us parents that hold them back."