NEWSFEED

The 32nd annual Swimathon, the world’s biggest fundraising swim, raised £1.8m for charity following Swimathon’s event weekend, with money still coming in

Laura Winter went down to the London Aquatics Centre to ask the lifeguard everything you might need to know when you go to your local swimming pool. Our aim is to break down those barriers and encourage more people to swim and take on the Swimathon 2018 challenge!

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.”

Swimathon 2019 runs from 29th to 31st March and involves a range of different challenges that makes it suitable for all. Beginners can sign up to swim 400m, 1.5km or even 2.5km, which is 100 laps of a 25m pool and a great target to aim towards.

Swimathon president and Olympic god medallist, Duncan Goodhew went to visit two schools that have been strong advocates for School Swimathon this year; Henry Cavendish Primary School in Balham and Engayne Primary School in Upminster. At both schools, Duncan led an inspirational assembly followed by a fun swimming session.