Llanidloes fundraisers have raised almost £500 for a cancer charity event after completing five kilometres dressed as mermaids.

Theresa Lloyd, the manager of the Llanidloes Leisure Centre, and her colleague Nick Bray took on the 2019 Swimathon challenge to raise money for Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie, but with an added difference after Theresa decided to complete the challenge dressed as a mermaid with Nick saying he’d join in if they raised £400.

Generous supporters made sure Nick had to follow through with his promise after donating £485 to their fundraising efforts.

Theresa said: “I am a mermaid swimming instructor, so felt to add a bit of interest to the event that I would do it as a mermaid.

“Nick however managed to get himself into the situation after a discussion at a staff meeting where he stated that if we raised £400 he would do it as a mermaid. Luckily we hit that target and he had to get in and follow through with it.”

Swimathon 2019 was held between 29 and 31 March across the UK with more than 21,000 swimmers taking part.

Theresa and Nick’s fundraising page is available at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mesmerising-mermaids2019 with fundraising running until 30 April.