Two young girls have raised £900 for charity by doing a sponsored swim in support of their dad, who had to have his colon removed due to ulcerative colitis.

Four-year-old Lilly-Rose Woodbridge and her sister Brooke, eight, took to the water at North Herts Leisure Centre in Letchworth to raise money for Crohn’s and Colitis UK, which offers information, support and research for people affected by either disease.

Their dad Ross is the captain of Knebworth Golf Club and hopes to raise £12,500 for the charity through various events over a 12-month period.

The 33-year-old was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2007 and had to have his colon removed in 2013. He now has a stoma – a surgically-created opening on the abdomen which allows waste to leave the body.

Crohn’s and colitis are inflammatory bowel diseases, with no known cause. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fatigue and loss of appetite.

Brooke and Lilly-Rose were presented with medals and certificates at the golf club last weekend in recognition of their charity efforts earlier this month.

Brooke took just an hour-and-a-half to swim a mile, while Lilly-Rose swam 14 lengths of the 25-metre pool – smashing her target of three lengths.

Ross said: “It went really well and I’m extremely proud.”