TEACHERS held a sponsored swim for a play area that was hit by vandals twice in one week.

The eight teachers at Shepherd’s Hill Pre-school took a dip at Blackbird Leys swimming pool, Blackbird Leys Road.

As reported in the Oxford Mail, inset, vandals struck twice in November causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage to the play area in the grounds of Windale Primary School. They broke toys and garden furniture, smashed up plants and threw mud and sand across the walls.

The teachers swam more than 50 lengths each. Playgroup manager Sarah Pearson said: “We are hoping to raise about £200 to buy new toys and extend our outdoor maths area.

“Fusion, who manage the pool, saw about our plight in the news and offered us free use of the pool.

“So we decided to do a swimathon and all the parents have been very kind sponsoring us.”

Donations flooded into the school following the damage, including £500 from Blackbird Leys Parish Council members.

Cash came from as far away as Kent, and city businesses and schools donated equipment.