Join the World’s largest charity fundraising swim

Team GB Olympic swimming heroes, Mark Foster and Duncan Goodhew, are encouraging the nation to jump in and make a splash at this year’s Swimathon. Returning to its usual springtime slot on 6th-8th May, the event brings communities together to raise money for Official Charity Partners Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie.

There are a variety of distances, from 400m up to 30.9k, as well as 1.5k and 5k options available as team challenges for family, friends, or colleagues to take on. Taking on a Swimathon challenge is a brilliant way for swimmers to stay motivated in their training plan, and there is something for everyone no matter what age or ability. With MySwimathon, people can also choose the time, place, and distance of their swim making it even more accessible.

The money raised through Swimathon will go towards supporting the UK’s leading end of life charity, Marie Curie, and Cancer Research UK, the largest charitable funder of cancer research in the world.

Team GB Olympic Swimmer Mark Foster said:

“Swimming is a fantastic form of exercise, with a wide range of benefits for both your physical and mental health and is accessible to people with varying abilities and needs. So, whether you’re a keen swimmer who is in the pool all the time, prefer to be in open water or if you are just dipping your toes in for the first time, Swimathon is the perfect challenge for everyone. That’s why I’m asking everyone to get involved and feel the benefits of this fantastic sport whilst raising money for two great charities in Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie.”

Marie Curie Nurse Janet Lockheart and Healthcare Assistant Amy Chellew will be undertaking Swimathon this year, after originally planning to do it in 2020. Janet said:

“We decided to do Swimathon to raise money to support the wonderful team at Marie Curie and the people that we care for. We’ve seen first-hand the difference fundraising can make to families that need our support, so to be able to do this for them, and for those supported by Cancer Research UK is amazing. Swimming is a great way to get fit and raise money, so we’re really excited – we’ve been waiting two years to say we’ve completed Swimathon.”

Gareth Mulcahy, Head of Events and Sports at Cancer Research UK, said:

“Swimathon is such a fun and simple way to encourage people to get swimming, while supporting causes which are close to the hearts of so many. 1 in 2 of us will get cancer*, but all of us can support the research that will beat it. This past year proves, more than any other, the value of investing in science and medical research. Every day we see the benefits of research we’ve previously funded being realised, helping people live longer and healthier lives. That’s why we’re urging swimmers to dive in this spring, raise money and help us continue our vital work to save more lives.”

Since launching in 1986, more than 750,000 swimmers have taken part in Swimathon, raising over £55 million for charity. This year, for the first time, event organisers LimeLight Sports and Badu Sports have joined forces to launch a brand-new training programme for 100 young black athletes to help them complete their first ever triathlon. The participants of these programmes will also be taking part in the Swimathon challenge to help them prepare.

For further details about how to sign up, training plans and ideas how to fundraise, please visit the Swimathon website.