BABIES and toddlers from six weeks to three-year-olds are taking part in a Splashathon to raise money for the Tommy’s charity.

The babies and toddlers, who will all be in pirate-themed fancy dress, will be taking part in special fun water-based challenges for the first time as part of the event.

The youngsters who all attend Water Babies swimming classes at Chadsgrove School, will be trying a whole range of activities from swimming through a hoop, or gathering floating balls, to even swimming underwater.

There will also a pirate fancy dress theme, with swashbuckling bandanas and fake moustaches, and possibly the odd Captain Jack Sparrow-style hat thrown in.

The group is aiming to raise £6,000 towards a national total for Tommy’s, which will be put towards a new, fourth research centre in 2016, to focus on early miscarriage.

Kat and Scott Morgan, who run the franchise for Bromsgrove Water Babies, said: “Splashathon helps to raise funds for a really important cause, as well as being a lot of fun for everyone involved. We plan to make 2015 a record breaking year in terms of funds raised and can’t wait to see the children in action in the Chadsgrove School pool, splashing about and having fun, all in the name of charity. We hope the local community will dig deep to sponsor the children taking part.”

Jane Brewin, chief executive of Tommy’s, added: “Splashathon has become such a fixture in our calendar and it’s always great to hear how much fun everyone has. Its success is down to Water Babies and its clients throwing their weight behind it and showing a real passion for our cause. We’d like to thank the franchisee and all the families for taking part and helping Tommy’s to save more babies’ lives.”

Anyone who would like to sponsor the youngsters, can visit justgiving.com/Waterbabies-Worcestershire-North-Herefordshire-2015 or text ASYV80 with the amount they would like to donate e.g. £10 to 70070.