PEOPLE in Tavistock and Okehampton can make a splash for Macmillan Cancer Relief by entering now for next year?s Swimathon event.
Meadowlands Leisure Pool in Tavistock and the swimming pool in Simmons Park, Okehampton, will again be among 550 pools across the UK joining the world?s largest fundraising swimming challenge next March.
Swimathon, now in its 17th year, has a new sponsor, Butlins holiday resort, and hopes to attract as many as 40,000 people to dive into the fundraising between March 17-23 next year. Organisers are hoping more than £2-million will be raised for Macmillan Cancer Relief.
Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew was joined by TV presenter and model Gabrielle Richens, to launch the swim challenge in London last week.
Eighty-five per cent of the money raised by Swimathon will go to Macmillan Cancer Relief, the cancer care charity which supports people living with cancer. In addition, the Swimathon Foundation, established last year to give swimmers a more direct involvement in how sponsorship money is spent, will distribute the remaining 15% to smaller, local charities.
Director of fundraising at Macmillan Cancer Relief, Judy Beard said: ?Money raised through this event will fund specialist nurses and doctors, buildings for cancer treatment and care, and grants to people in financial difficulties.
?The event will really make a positive difference to people living with cancer in the UK today.?
The event promises something for everyone - entrants can choose from four Challenge categories, two untimed fun categories or the flexible ?Simply Swim? option.
People can sign up for Swimathon by phoning the Butlins Swimathon hotline on 0845 3670036, by picking up an entry form from a participating pool or by registering online at http://www.swimathon.org">www.swimathon.org