Children from North & East Yorkshire Water Babies class will be showcasing their superstar swimming skills from 11-17 March with a ‘Splashathon’ fundraiser for charities Tommy’s and the Children’s Alliance.
Swimmers from birth to 10 years old will be sponsored to complete swimming challenges in their favourite fancy dress at many pools across our area, including Nuffield Health, Hull & Harrogate, Delta@ York Marriott Hotel, Everlast Gym, Hull, Willow Lodge, Bubwith and The Crown Hotel, Boroughbridge.
Alongside the children completing their sponsored swimming challenges, teams of teachers in North and East Yorkshire are also completing some challenges and activities of their own to help raise further funds for the cause. The Bubba the Whale mascot is also getting out and about across key North and East Yorkshire landmarks to complete sponsored walks and challenges. So far he has been to York and walked the city walls, with trips planned in the next week or two to The Deep, Hull, the coast, Harrogate and more.
A teacher, Jess, is also pledging to swim 1km for every £5,000 raised by swimmers in our area.
Together with 47,000 Water Babies from across the UK, the North and East Yorkshire event aims to raise £1 million for Tommy’s and the Children’s Alliance. This could support the UK’s first Tommy’s National Centre for Preterm Birth Research for a year, working to reduce the numbers of babies born too early.
The Children’s Alliance, the charitable foundation of Water Babies, is working to create better starts and brighter futures for children in the UK. Just £30 could pay for a child with a disability to attend a specialist swimming session through Children’s Alliance community initiatives.
Babies and children are at the heart of this special charity partnership. Tommy’s is committed to saving babies’ lives, funding medical research and supporting families through every part of their pregnancy journey.
Funds raised for the Children’s Alliance will help to ensure that all children can benefit from safe and fun access to water in their local communities, supporting their mental, physical and emotional health as they grow.
Tory Hardy from Water Babies North & East Yorkshire said: “All of us are really excited to be taking part in Splashathon. We aim to raise £60,000 locally, and of course give the children a really exciting class, whilst they fundraise to give every child a better, brighter future.”
Tommy’s CEO, Kath Abrahams, said: “Splashathon is a fabulous way for children to have fun in support of a vital cause. We’re grateful to every family taking part and everyone who’s working hard to make it happen at swimming pools around the UK.”
Tamsin Brewis at Children’s Alliance said: “We can’t wait for Splashathon and to watch families come together in their swimming lessons for this special sponsored event. We’re so appreciative of every water baby taking part, who will be helping us to give better starts and brighter futures to children across the country.”