Ahoy me shipmates as children dress up for pirate swim!

Youngsters from a splashathon class were raising money for baby charity Tommy's.

Boys and girls from six weeks to four years were sponsored to swim a width in fancy dress at Hebden Green School's pool in Winsford.

Peppa Pig made a surprise appearance.

Peppa Pig made a surprise appearance

Water Babies in Staffordshire and East Cheshire have already raised £23,077 as classes across the country are aiming to raise £1,000,000 to help fund Tommy’s vital research into miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth.

In the UK, it is estimated that one in four pregnancies end in loss during pregnancy or birth.

Tommy’s funds four research centres in the UK that investigate causes and find treatments for miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth.

In 2017, Splashathon raised £1.175 million. This was enough to run Tommy’s National Miscarriage Research Centre, the largest of its kind in Europe, for two and half years.

The money raised from this year’s event will help fund a new centre dedicated to ensuring the best maternity care is available to every parent, every baby, everywhere.

Anna Bates, franchisee of Water Babies Staffordshire and East Cheshire, said:“At Water Babies we have had a really fun time in our Splashathon classes – the babies and children had an amazing time, loved seeing Peppa Pig and we have raised a staggering amount for Tommy’s. A cause close to many of us.”

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Steve Franks, chief executive officer of Water Babies said: “We are extremely proud of the ongoing work our swimmers, their families and our staff have done with Tommy’s. We’ve raised millions of pounds for the profound work Tommy’s does, which deeply effects our community and our Splashathons embody exactly what we aim to provide in our lessons; water confidence and joy.”

To donate visit tommys.org/splashathondonate