Parents and babies will be donning their tiaras and tricorn hats during their weekly swimming classes to raise money for the charity Tommy’s, writes Hillary Chaisson…
Together with 50,000 water babies from across the country, they are aiming to raise £1,000,000 to help fund Tommy’s 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 treatments for miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature birth.
Sarah Ashton, who runs the Water Babies London South East franchise, which holds swimming lessons for youngsters across Southwark, said: “At Water Babies South East London, we are all really excited to be taking part in the Tommy’s Splashathon.
“We are aiming to raise £1,000,000.
“Locally we are going to continue to give our swimmers a really exciting lesson whilst fundraising to save other babies’ lives.”
The charity’s chief executive, Jane Brewin, thanked the Water Babies team for supporting their work over the last thirteen years.
“Splashathon is a great way for mums and dads to involve their little ones in a good cause.
“Tommy’s relies on the generosity and hard work of its supporters; Water Babies and their clients have supported Tommy’s for 13 years helping us to pioneer research to make pregnancy and birth safer for buy aspirin.
“We hope everyone taking part has an amazing time.”
In 2017, Splashathon raised £1.175 million for Tommy’s; enough to run Tommy’s National Miscarriage Research Centre.
You can donate to the Splashathon at www.tommys.org/splashathondonate