Thousands of swimmers limbering up to take part in world’s biggest fundraising swim
Thousands of swimmers are limbering up to take part in Swimathon 2009, the world’s biggest fundraising swim for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre and New Chiswick Pool will be among 500 pools across the UK taking part in the Swimathon from the 16–19 April 2009 and raising money to help Marie Curie Cancer Care support and care for thousands of terminally ill patients.
Duncan Goodhew MBE, Olympic gold medalist and Swimathon President, said, “Swimathon is a great way of raising money to help thousands of people across the UK. It’s also a fantastic way to get and keep fit for all the family.
"Regular swimming builds endurance, muscle strength and cardio-vascular fitness and it can serve as a cross-training element to your regular workout. 30 minutes of steady paced lane swimming burns over 200 calories – well over 400 calories in an hour. So not only will Swimathon help other people but it will also help keep you fit too.”
Swimathon 2009 is open to everyone, encouraging people to set their own personal challenge by accomplishing a distance of their choice. Swimmers can challenge themselves to the ultimate 5K challenge, 2.5K for the intermediate swimmer or 1.5K for those who swim occasionally. For those interested in joining forces with friends, colleagues or family, the 5K challenge can also be completed as part of a team with up to five people.
Over the past two years, 30,000 swimmers have taken part in Swimathon and have raised more than £3 million for Marie Curie Cancer Care and The Swimathon Foundation. This year, Swimathon is looking to raise more money for charity by encouraging everyone in the UK to get in the pool and make 2009 a huge success.
For those who prefer to cheer on from the sidelines, they can still do their bit by sponsoring local people who are taking part in Swimathon by going to ‘sponsor a swimmer’ on www.swimathon.org, or by volunteering (email info@swimathon.org) at one of the pools.
The face of Swimathon 2009, Eleanor Simmonds MBE, who at Beijing 2008 became Britain's youngest ever individual gold medalist at an Olympic or Paralympic Games added, “Swimming is something I really enjoy and I think anybody would if they set themselves a challenge. It is a great way to keep fit and have fun with your friends – taking part in Swimathon means you can do both. I can’t wait to take part.”
To find out more about Swimathon or enter for the 2009 challenge go to: www.swimathon.org.
March 13, 2009