Puddle Ducks makes a big splash for cash with charity swim in Hartlepool

Little swimmer Dax Farsey receives his certificate for taking part in the Puddle Ducks fundraising PJ Week for Leo’s Neonatal, a charity set up after the loss of his baby brother who was born prematurely.

The little swimmers smashed their original target of £500, for Leo’s Neonatal and terminally-ill girl Khiannah Williams, when they took part in Puddle Ducks’ annual charity swim in their pyjamas.

Leo’s Neonatal is a charity that is very close to Puddle Ducks’ heart.

Swimmer Dax Farsey, from Yarm, became a big brother when his twin brothers Leo and Oska were born prematurely.

Four year old Khiannah Williams suffers from Leigh's Syndrome, a severe Neurological disorder terminal

The both weighed less than a bag of sugar each, at 21 weeks.

Unfortunately, baby Leo didn’t survive and Oska spent a total of 109 days on the neonatal unit where Dax visited him every day.

Mum, Lottie King, said: “Dax’s swimming teacher, Mel, has been nothing short of amazing with him.

“He suffers a lot with anxiety as a result of all of the things we have gone through in the last four years, but Mel has worked with him to build his confidence.

“He asks me all the time if he can swim every day with Puddle Ducks as he loves it so much.”

Four-year-old Khiannah from Hardwick, Stockton, suffers from Leigh's Syndrome, a severe Neurological disorder terminal.

Her mum, Teissy Easton, said: “Unfortunately, this awful disease is terminal and means that we don't know how long Khiannah has got left.

“But she is a tough little cookie continuing to fight this awful disease with her contagious smile, cheeky character and constant sparkle in her eyes.”