A popular children’s entertainer and his 11-year-old daughter have taken part in the world’s biggest charity swimathon to raise money for cancer. 

“Mr Banana Head” and “Little Miss Banana Head”, aka, Paul and Katie Albert from St Albans, joined more than half-a-million people across the UK on April 27 for the largest charity swimming competition over 31 years. 

The pair swam at Everyone Active in Hemel, and to date the initiative has raised over £49 million for Cancer Research and Marie Curie.

Paul, 48, said: “We had the idea of swimming in memory of people who have lost their fight with cancer - sadly gone, always loved, forever missed and never forgotten.”

The pair made a poster with the names of loved ones lost to cancer from people they know, and Paul took part in the 5km (200 lengths) race, while Katie swam the 1.5 km (60 lengths) challenge. 

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Paul added: “We wanted to help increase awareness of the incredible work both charities do.

“Knowing it’s in their memory makes it more poignant for us and gave us the extra bit of inspiration we needed to complete the swims.”

Together, father and daughter have raised just under £300 and are still waiting for more donations to come in.

Mr Banana Head is a children’s entertainer who performs at parties alongside Mango the Monkey.

He does magic, games, music, dancing and slapstick, and, sings Kate Bush songs in a high-pitched voice.

For more information visit www.mrbananahead.com