Parents, children and staff of Carlisle Infants School swam a whopping 2,200 lengths in one day at Hampton Open Air Pool last week.

The original 1,000 length target, the equivalent of a swim across the Channel, was well beaten at the October 18 fundraiser, and organisers believe about £3,000 was raised for works at the school and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Free sports massages were provided by St Mary’s Clinic and Robson’s Butchers provided meat for the barbecue.

Event organiser Juliette Pedlar said: “It was just brilliant, we totally exceeded our expectations and so many people who might not have swam normally took part.

“A lot of money was raised and hopefully it will also get some people into swimming more often.”