Oxfordshire swimmers urged to dive into charity event

The sponsored event – the world’s biggest annual fundraising swim – is returning to pools across the region from March 28-30. 

Swimmers of all ages and abilities are being encouraged to take the plunge and raise money for Cancer Research UK, the end of life charity Marie Curie and Swimathon Foundation. 

There are a variety of individual challenges to choose from – from 400m up to a supercharged Triple 5k – or teams of two to five people can take part in a 1.5k or 5k relay.   

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Anyone who cannot make one of the organised sessions can sign up to MySwimathon and, between March 21 and April 6, choose a distance, time and venue that suits them to play their part and complete their swim. 

Swimathon president and Olympic gold medallist, Duncan Goodhew MBE, hopes to inspire people to enjoy the benefits of swimming, while making a real difference to people across the UK. 

He said: “Every year at Swimathon I meet incredible people with incredible stories.

“Those who are swimming for the first time, those that are swimming in memory of a loved one, those that are swimming unimaginable distances, those that are recovering from cancer, or those that are facing a terminal illness – and I know this year will be no different.  

“Everyone has their own story and everyone can set their own Swimathon challenge. You just have to be you. Whatever your ability, whatever your age, whatever your drive. To me, everyone is a Swimathon star.”

A Swimathon event is taking place for a good cause (Image: Ed Nix) National events manager for Marie Curie, Hannah Grant, said: “Swimathon is a fun and family friendly way for people to take on a new challenge and raise money for a good cause. Every five minutes, someone in the UK dies without the care they need.

“No matter what your ability, just by heading down to your local pool this March you can raise money to help Marie Curie continue to bring expert palliative and end of life care to more people, whatever their illness.” 

Five or 10 week training plans are available for all challenges on the Swimathon website. 

The event will be held at Ferry Leisure Centre in Oxford, Barton Leisure Centre in Oxford, Leys Pool and Leisure Centre in Oxford, Kidlington and Gosford Leisure Centre in Kidlington, White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre in Abingdon, Windrush Leisure Centre in Witney, Didcot Wave Leisure Centre, Henley Leisure Centre, Spiceball Leisure Centre in Banbury, Bicester Leisure Centre and Wantage Leisure Centre. 

Sign up now at swimathon.org.