A COMMUNITY has pulled together to raise �20,000 in memory of a two-year-old boy from Hitchin, who tragically died after falling into a swimming pool.

Oliver Else died just three weeks before his third birthday, after falling into the private pool in Northwood, London, in July of last year.

He was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Cambridge, before sadly passing away three days later.

The money that is raised in his memory will go towards buying new equipment for the unit.

“From our point of view, we’ve been really touched by how everyone’s taken it on board to make something positive come out of something so tragic,” said Oliver’s mother Lorna, of Tilehouse Street, Hitchin.

“Everybody’s been concerned and wanted to do something.

“We’re continuing the fundraising throughout the year, and can hopefully raise �30,000 to go towards the hospital, which does such a great job.”

The �20,000 which has already been raised by friends, family and local groups and schools, will go towards paying for new equipment at Addenbrooke’s PICU.

So far, the hospital has used the money to buy a �12,500 resuscitation unit, and hopes to buy a �4,000 TRAM CO2 monitor.

Highbury Lodge Nursery in Hitchin, which Oliver attended and younger brother Samuel now goes to, has planned a number of activities this year to raise money.

And Kingshott School in St Ippolyts, where Oliver’s older brother Tomas goes, has raised more than �1,500 to date.

There is also a sponsored swim on April 2 at Odyssey Health Club in Knebworth, where local children at their Saturday morning swimming lesson will be able to take part.

To donate money to the cause, visit www.justgiving.com/Oliver-Else