Oxford city MP Anneliese Dodds joined scores of families as they took on a mini-triathlon around Hinksey Pool and Grandpont green spaces.

Now in its fifth year, the event is the brainchild of Grandpont Nursery School Association and hopes to raise thousands of pounds for children’s centre South Oxford Family Room.

In past years, the cut-down swimming, running and cycling event has raised around £8,000 for the centre on Whitehouse Road – set up after the council stopped running the children’s centre.

Families were expected to swim six lengths of Hinksey Pool followed by running three laps of Dean’s Ham field and, finally, a 6km cycling course around Grandpont Nature Park.

Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds was among the first to take to the water on Sunday morning (September 24).

“This is a great community event to support a great community service,” she said.

Oxford Mail: Anneliese Dodds MP was among those taking to the water for the fundraising triathlonAnneliese Dodds MP was among those taking to the water for the fundraising triathlon (Image: Oxford Mail)

“The South Oxford Family Room is really important for local families and, obviously, this triathlon enables people to play their part in supporting it.

“I’m looking forward to all of it, but I think the most enjoyable part of it will be the swimming.”

Organiser Yan Wong, 49, the chairman of Grandpont Nursery School Association, told the Oxford Mail: “It’s a really popular community event, where children from the age of about one, almost, can do something that sounds really impressive.”

Association treasurer Carole Stow, 49, added: “For us, it helps us continue the absolutely brilliant services at South Oxford Family Room. That includes regular stay and play sessions; I think we have had in the last six months 100 families who have come along. It really means a lot.”

Oxford Mail: Setting off through Hinksey pool for the family triathlon Picture: Oxford MailSetting off through Hinksey pool for the family triathlon Picture: Oxford Mail (Image: Oxford Mail)

Oxford Mail: Swimmers set off through Hinksey Pool for the fundraising triathlon Picture: Oxford MailSwimmers set off through Hinksey Pool for the fundraising triathlon Picture: Oxford Mail (Image: Oxford Mail)

It will be her four-year-old daughter Issy's third triathlon. “I’m swimming for her. She will be doing the running and cycling. She loves being part of it," mum Carole said. 

“The family room has been the world to her. She has grown and thrived by taking part there. She really enjoys being part of the group.”

To donate, visit: http://triathlon.sofr.org.uk.