
These days it seems that each of the major charities has a huge nationwide event held at venues up and down the country to raise vital funds.
There’s the Midnight Walk (held for St Catherine’s Hospice), the NSPP Big Bike Ride, Relay for Life for Cancer Research UK, and one of our favourites - The Swimathon for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
In April last year we were at Bluecoats Sports Centre at Christ’s Hospital to see people young and old come together to help raise a grand total of £1.5million last year.
It was a wonderful occasion for all the family, especially the Davis family, who all took part, with five-year-old Jacob completing a couple of lengths.
Zöe Salmon and Duncan Goodhew dived into the pool at The Chelsea Club during the national launch last week - and were the first entries to take the plunge for Swimathon 2010.
And hot on the heels of the national launch came the local launch at Bluecoats, where local swimmers gathered to take advantage of a half price entry offer in january.
Gill Probin of Bluecoats said: “We are delighted to be holding this event again at Bluecoats Sports and Fitness Club. Our fantastic pool and facilities makes it ideal for us to hold this event.
“We warmly welcome swimmers of all levels to participate. Deciding to swim is a great chance for people to set new personal challenges for 2010 and in doing so they will feel a massive sense of achievement.”
You can swim in a team where 2 – 5 people participate covering 5Km (200 lengths of Bluecoats’ pool). There’s also individual challenges where you can swim 1.5km (60 lengths); 2.5Km (100 lengths) or 5km (200 lengths).
Gill added: “Ever
yone’s challenge is very much their own – but not only do their efforts benefit themselves but also the charities.
“Last year we raised £4,848.73 and this year we hope more people will swim and in doing so raise more valuable funds for the Marie Curie Cancer Care Charity.”
At the moment the Swimathon Foundation have an early bird offer of half price entry before 31st January.
Bluecoats will be holding 2 Swimathon sessions at the Bluecoats Health and fitness Club on Saturday 18th April 2010 starting at 9am and 11.00am. As well as one on Sunday 19th April at 5am
Enter online for the 2010 Swimathon before the 31st January 2010 to take up the special half price offer. Steyning and Billingshurst Leisure Centre, and The Pavilions in Horsham Park, will also be holding Swimathon events. For more details see www.swimathon.org