Swimathon
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The Swimathon is an annual fund raising event which takes place at participating pools across the UK. In 2008 it is expected that more than 19,000 swimmer will take part in over 500 swimming pools, raising money for the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity. It is considered to be the world's largest swimming fundraising event.
The event has been run nationally every year since 1988 when it was originally sponsored by Penguin (chocolate biscuits) before being taken over by British Telecom for a number of years. Prior to that a London event sponsored by LBC was run in the autumn of 1986. Over the years, more than £10 million pounds has been raised for worthwhile causes.[1]
In its current configuration there are three separate challenges: Distance Challenge, SimplySwim and Corporate Challenge. For the Distance Challenge, individuals can choose to swim 5km, 2.5km or 1.5km or they can create a team of 2-5 people to swim 5km. The SimplySwim challenge allows individuals or teams to set their own targets for swimming any number of laps over any number of days up to and including the main event weekend. The Corporate Challenge is for teams of 2 to 5 swimmers who must complete 5km as a team representing a company.
Duncan Goodhew has been involved in the Swimathon event for many years as a public figurehead to the fundraising campaign. The Swimathon Foundation are responsible for the organization of the event each year.
