THREE children have completed an incredible Swimathon challenge.

Zach Roff, nine, from Sherfield-on-Loddon, Juliet Stevens, eight, from Bramley and six-year-old Olivia O’Leary completed a 1,500m swim in an Olympics swimming pool.

All three attend swimming lessons at the Sherfield-on-Loddon based Cali Kids, which is run by Alicia Reilly.

The trio travelled to Queen Elizabeth Park and swam in the same 50m pool as Rebecca Adlington and Michael Phelps at London 2012, raising more than £850 for Marie Curie.

Alicia said: “I’m so proud of my little ones, who’ve gone from not being able to put their heads in the water, to swimming 500 metres each in the Olympic Pool in London.

“I had no doubt that they’d all be able to do it, but they did look so small in the stadium – and my six-year-old pupil was the youngest there.

“They’re used to swimming in a 12m-long pool in Reading so this was a huge challenge for them, but they came through with flying colours and have the medals to prove it. They were even catching-up the adults in front of them.”

Cali Kids specialises in advanced lessons for young children and babies, and is the idea of Californian-born Alicia, 33, who has taught baby swimming in Berkshire and Hampshire for the past five years.

After completing the big challenge Zach, who attends Four Lanes Junior School, said: “It was a very special day for me – I’ll never forget swimming in the Olympic Pool and completing my challenge.

“When I first got to the pool I was quite nervous but when I got into the water and built up my energy it was really fun.”

Eight-year-old Juliet, who attends Bramley Primary School, added: “It was scary at first because it was just adults doing the Swimathon and it’s a big pool but it was great. I’ve watched my mum run in races and compete, so it was great to do something like that too.”

For more details on Cali Kids visit cali-kids.weebly.com.