WAVES of children visited Bromsgrove's Dolphin Centre last weekend to meet a 'real life mermaid' and raise funds for two 'fintastic' causes.

Children's entertainers Mermaid Merchelle and Pirate Pete spent the day in the pool with young fundraisers on July 9 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Birmingham Children's Hospital, which are both helping Rednal baby Charlotte Robinson to battle her life-limiting disease.

The event was the first organised by mum Sophie Robinson, 30, who pledged to spend the year raising money for the trust, after newborn Charlotte was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis last year.

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Mermaid Merchelle swam alongside the children and featured in a 'shellfie' photoshoot alongside Pirate Pete. The event raised £320 for the charities.

Xander Black, otherwise known as Pirate Pete, said: "We have been friends with Sophie and her husband Aiden for many years and we didn’t hesitate to offer our support. Sophie is such an inspiration and Charlotte is a joy to watch grow up."

Sophie added: "The event went so well and I’ve had so many lovely comments that the children can’t stop talking about mermaids. We’re definitely going to run the event again."