Baby swimmer raises £1,600 for charity during Winsford 'Splashathon'

Little Kinvara Hudson, 1, has been named the highest fundraiser of the Water Babies – the world’s largest baby swim school – across Staffordshire and Cheshire after raising £1,688,75.

The money will go towards Tommy’s, a charity that funds research into miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth, which affects one in four parents.

Kinvara and her mum Kayleigh, joined her class at Hebden Green Community School in Winsford, to take part in the fun ‘aquativities’ for sponsorship, all themed around the circus.

Kinvara – mustering up all her swimming prowess – had to swim through a hoop to complete her challenge.

Anna Bates, franchisee of Water Babies across Staffordshire and Cheshire, said: “We are very proud of Kinvara for taking part so enthusiastically and raising so much money to help other babies and their families.

“She is always a keen member of the class and her parents must be ever so proud.”

For their latest fundraiser, parents, children and teachers threw themselves into the fun – and the pool – with many swimming in fancy dress.

Anna said: “We are over the moon to have raised so much this year, not to mention smashing our national cumulative target of £2 million.

“We are overwhelmed by the effort shown by all our little swimmers and their families and we’d like to say a really big thank you to all those who took part and also those who donated.

“Tommy’s is obviously a charity close to many parents’ hearts.”

Water Babies across Staffordshire and Cheshire have raised £25,240 during the recent round of Splashathons, which takes the full amount raised nationally to more than £2 million.

Jane Brewin, Tommy’s chief executive, said: “We are overwhelmed by the number of children who took part in the campaign this year and by the generosity of those who have taken the time to donate their money to the cause.

“It really will make a difference and help us to help more families have a healthy, happy baby.”