BIG hugs, tears of joy and bowls full of hot pot greeted determined fundraisers who completed a gruelling 27 mile swimathon in aid of three deserving charities.

On Saturday, the locally based Diamonds, Jewels and Stars fundraising group organised a sponsored swimathon covering 2,000 lengths of the pool at Queens Park Leisure Centre.

Thirty swimmers, aged from three to 60, took to the water at 4.30pm and were cheered on by family and friends as they swam in relay until they reached their goal some three hours later.

“Early indications are that we will achieve our target of raising £3,000,” said DJS spokesman Dawn Ratcliffe. "With the swim completed, everyone retired to the Sprayhurst club to celebrate, medals were awarded and lots of hotpot eaten!”

All money raised by the Swimathon will be split between three charities, Alder Hey Bereavement Service, Clatterbridge Cancer Charity and Widnes and Runcorn Cancer Support Centre.

The Widnes and Runcorn Cancer Support Centre offers emotional and psychological support to people affected by cancer as a patient, carer or family member.

Clatterbridge Cancer Charity raises funds to benefit The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre patients and finance pioneering research into cancer treatment.

Alder Hey Bereavement Service provides an immediate and on-going support for families, parents and siblings who may be affected by the death of a child at Alder Hey.

Event organiser, Sue Kay, said: “The support we have received from the community and local business Vinyline, who kindly donated branded signage, has been inspiring and we hope to organise more fundraising events next year.”

You can keep track of events at : http://diamondsjewelsandstars.co.uk/