People urged to take part in Swimathon this month in Teesside
Two pools are set to hold an event
People of all ages and abilities in Teesside are being urged to take part in a Swimathon this month to raise money for charity.
Two venues are set to hold an event in the hopes it'll also boost confidence in children swimming.
Those are:
- Neptune Centre Ormesby Rd, Berwick Hills, Middlesbrough, TS3 7RP, UK
- Redcar Leisure Centre, Ridley St, Redcar, TS10 1TD, UK
People who want to take part can sign up now on the Swimathon website ahead of the challenge from the 20th to the 22nd of March.
Swimathon says swimming delivers major public health benefits, saving the NHS an estimated £327m a year, yet confidence among primary school children able to swim has fallen from 76.8% to 70.2% in recent years
Olympic gold medallist and Swimathon President, Duncan Goodhew, said: “It’s incredible to think that, for forty years, Swimathon has brought people together to enjoy the benefits of swimming and raise extraordinary sums for charity. Its success is testament to the loyal participants who return year after year, and to the new generation of swimmers now taking up the baton. To everyone who has been part of our journey: thank you. And to those joining us for this milestone anniversary: good luck! I can’t wait to see what the next 40 years have in store."
British Jamaican Olympic Swimmer, Michael Gunning, says: “After a long professional career spent in the swimming pool, I’m incredibly proud to join the 40th anniversary celebrations for Swimathon this year. Swimming has been a huge part of my life and continues to be, but what I remember most is how it brings people together, creating a real sense of community around a shared goal.
"I’ve loved meeting and working with some of the participants who’ve already been training so hard this year, and I can’t wait to see everyone come together for this milestone event in March. If you’re thinking of getting involved, go for it! There’s a Swimathon challenge for everyone, and I know you’ll experience the fun and benefits that swimming has given me for decades, whilst raising money for incredible charities.”
Taking part in this year’s event will help raise vital funds for the world’s largest charitable funder of cancer research, Cancer Research UK, and the UK’s leading end of life charity, Marie Curie, as well as Swimathon Foundation.