HUNDREDS of swimmers went from mill to mill to raise money for good causes.

A total of 750 people took part in the Mill2Mill swim from Dedham to Flatford.

The 2.3km leisurely swim was to raise money for the River Stour Trust and the National Trust.

Individual groups also set up their own fundraising pages for causes close to their hearts.

Staff at Lexden Springs School took part to raise money for swimming pool equipment.

Children have moved out of their cramped old school building in Halstead Road, Colchester, and will start the new school year at the campus on the former Heath School site, in Winstree Road, Stanway.

The new site for children with special educational needs will have a therapy pool, but extra money must be raised to buy equipment.

To help raise money, five members of staff took part in the swim.

Carolyn Carey, whose foster daughter Jessica Taylor, 14, attends the school, said it was a successful event.

She said: “They had to go through weeds and smelly water but they all finished it and survived.”

She said the children will benefit hugely from the £400 worth of equipment the school can now buy.

She added: “It’s great having the new building but we don’t have the supplies.

“Jessica is on oxygen 24 hours a day so she needs her oxygen with her in the pool.

“We can’t always take her to public swimming pools so it’s nice to have something all children can use.”

The social swim along the River Stour was 2.3km and was split into waves.

The first wave was for people who wanted to race, the second was for people swimming at a steady pace, the third was for paddling and the fourth was called Pooh Sticks for people who wanted to float along in the A A Milne way.

Mary Key, who works at Lexden Springs School, made her own float out of the children’s used swimming noodles.

All the swimmers were rewarded at the end with a picnic in the scenic surroundings made famous by John Constable.

Other fundraising events will be held next year including ones to pay for more transport to take students on school trips.

To see the fundraising page visit ie.gofundme.com/f/lexden-springs-swimming-challenge.