SILHILLIANS are being urged to make a splash in a bid to raise much needed funds for cancer charities.
Swimmers of all ages and abilities are being invited to take part in the annual sponsored event in pools across the West Midlands and help raise money for Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie.
The big Swimathon weekend takes place from Friday, April 27 to Sunday, April 29.
Participants can choose individual challenges of 400m, 1.5k, 2.5k or 5k or team distances of 1.5k or 5k.
There’s also the opportunity to take part in ‘MySwimathon’, where participants can complete one of the individual challenges or set their own distance at any time from April 20 to May 6.
Swimathon started in 1988 and since then over 700,000 participants have dived into 1,000 pools across the UK and raised over £48 million for different charities.
Olympic gold-medallist and Swimathon President Duncan Goodhew said: “It has been a real joy to see Swimathon develop into the great event it is today, and raise so much money for so many worthwhile charities.
“Swimathon really gives people a chance to get active with friends and family, whilst doing some good at the same time. I am so proud that Swimathon gives so many people the chance to enjoy the water.”
Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie are the official charity partners of Swimathon 2018.
Marie Curie helps people living with a terminal illness and their families make the most of the time they have together by providing hands-on nursing care and expert hospice care, emotional support, research and guidance to improve the way care is provided in the UK
Lynn Wood, Marie Curie’s Fundraising Manager for the West Midlands, said: “Since Marie Curie first became a partner of Swimathon we have recruited over 150,000 swimmers and raised £12 million, which has enabled us to provide care and support to more people living with any terminal illness such as dementia, motor neurone disease or Parkinson’s disease – at the time when they need it most.
“We’re hoping people across the West Midlands are as excited as us about this year’s Swimathon and will join us by taking the plunge and signing up for what will be another great challenge.”
Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading charity dedicated to to saving lives through research.
Jane Redman, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the West Midlands, said: “Everyone can get involved Swimathon, whether you are the next Duncan Goodhew or a complete land lubber.”
For more information and to sign up now, visit www.Swimathon.org
