Water Babies hosts charity ‘splashathon’

Water Babies is hosting a charity swim-a-thon to raise money for stillborn and premature babies across the UK.

Water Babies will be hosting a fun event that will raise money for Tommy’s, a national charity that support parents through and funds research into the causes of miscarriages, stillbirths and premature births.

The fun ‘pirates and princesses’ event will see the tiny swimmers, some of whom are just four weeks old, tackle a width of the pool with the help of their teacher or guardians. Peppa Pig is scheduled to join in with the fun, as the child whose fundraising efforts are most impressive will win an all-expenses paid trip to Peppa Pig World.

Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire franchisee Tamsin was inspired to host the event by local parents who have experienced such tragedy, like Lianne and Peter Baker. The two devastatingly lost a baby and spoke about how the experience was made more tragic by a lack of support.

"Although the experience of losing the baby was one of the worst things we’ve ever gone through, it was the lack of support and sympathy from the NHS staff which made our ordeal even more harrowing. There just didn’t seem to be anyone to turn to at one of the most devastating times of our lives. Had I been in touch with the Tommy’s team then, my experience might have gone a little differently."

The Bakers were able to welcome two babies into the world following a course of IVF, who now take part in Aylesbury’s Water Babies classes. Lianne said:

“We have ended up with two wonderful rainbow babies, who have turned out to be real water babies too! They’re so excited to be taking part in the Splashathon and dressing up as pirates in the pool! It’s really important to us, as a family, that we’re able to take part in such a worthwhile event and raise money for this incredible charity.”

Tamsin’s last even raised an incredible £36,000 for Tommy’s, so she’s hoping to beat that figure in 2019. The event also coincides with Drowning Prevention Week, which means that tips will be offered by the baby franchise to swimmers and supporters on how to keep safe in the water.