NEWSFEED

Their lane. Their challenge. Their Swimathon for Marie Curie

On 7-9 April, 18,500 swimmers across the UK took on their distance swimming challenge for Marie Curie at the 30th anniversary Swimathon event. Over the course of the event, thousands of swimmers took to over 600 swimming pools to challenge themselves and raise money for charity with either an individual or team challenge. Marie Curie Arlene Main, Event Fundraising Manager said: “I want to say a huge congratulations to all the swimmers who took part at the weekend and completed their challenges. All the money raised will make a big difference in helping Marie Curie provide care and support for people living with a terminal illness and their families.” Olympic gold medalist Duncan Goodhew and the sporting soprano Laura Wright were heading up this year’s campaign. Duncan visited a number of pools across the weekend whilst Laura took on a 5k team challenge with her family. Swimathon President and Olympic gold-medallist Duncan Goodhew said: “This year was extra special with it being the 30th Swimathon event. Since we held the first Swimathon all those years ago, it has been an amazing journey to see the event grow to what it is today and to have raised more than £46 million pounds for various charities. The atmosphere was really brilliant at every pool and the reaction on social media seemed to show that it was like that across the country. I want to thank everyone who got involved, they’ve really done a great job both in the pool and with their fundraising for Marie Curie, to help support their wonderful work.” Marie Curie is the official charity of Swimathon 2017. Marie Curie is the UK’s leading charity for people with any terminal illness. The charity helps people living with a terminal illness and their families make the most of the time they have together by delivering expert hands-on care, emotional support, research and guidance. Last year, Marie Curie cared for and supported over 50,000 people affected by terminal illness across the UK. If you have questions about terminal illness, need support or just want to talk, call the Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309 or visit www.mariecurie.org.uk. It’s for anyone affected by terminal illness, including family and friends. You can relive some of the highlights of this year’s event by searching #Swimathon17 on Twitter. Full details about Swimathon can be found at; www.Swimathon.org.

Charity boost for community swimming

Up to £40,000 has been made available to make swimming more accessible for more people, thanks to the charity behind the UK’s largest fundraising swimming event. The 2016 Swimathon Foundation Community Grants opened on Monday 11 January and is inviting applications from individuals and groups who provide a promote swimming in their community. Now into the second year of their partnership with British Swimming, grants of between £300 and £2500 are available. Swimathon Foundation are the charity responsible for Swimathon, which will take place this year on 18-20 March. Over half a millions people have raised over £40m for good causes since Swimathon first launched in 1986. The Swimathon Foundation Grants Scheme was launched in the 1990s providing vital funding to swimming initiatives for community swimming, many of which would not take place without the support of Swimathon Foundation. Last year’s successful applicants included projects to reach out to more participants in the trans-gender community in London to young peolple with special needs in Stockport, Lancashire. Ralph Riley, Chairman of the Swimathon Foundation Community Grants Scheme said: “We are passionate about raising funds for good causes, but we are also passionate about swimming as an activity. It does not matter what age or ability people have, swimming is an incredible way for everyone to improve their health and wellbeing. “Through the Swimathon Foundation Community Grants we can help communities improve people’s lives through swimming.”