Swindon Link Centre and Health Hydro host 30th anniversary swimathon events

Swimathon, the world’s biggest annual fundraising swim is 30 years old this year. Better’s Link Centre and Health Hydro hosted events to raise money for Marie Curie.

Marie Curie Cancer Care is one of the UK’s largest charities. Employing more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, it provides care to above 50,000 terminally ill patients in the community and in its hospices this year and is the largest provider of hospice beds outside the NHS.

Ian Mortimer and his daughter Bella (9) travelled from Harpenden, Hertfordshire to swim alongside Ian’s sister Anthea at the Health Hydro. Between them they swam 9km and raised over £500 for Marie Curie. Ian said “We chose the Health Hydro as both my sister and I swam there when we were young.  We learned to swim there, and then competed around the county for Swindon Dolphin ASC. I particularly wanted to swim there as I have not been back to that pool for over 20 years.  It hasn't changed much!!”

Adam (11) and Leo (8) from Lethbridge Primary School took part at the Link Centre. They started taking part in Swimathon 2 years ago as a family team and do the Swimathon because they love swimming and it's a great challenge that the whole family can take part in.  Adam signed up to do 2.5km and swam 5km on the day. Leo signed up to swim 1.5km and swam 2.5km on the day.

Sports celebrity swimmer Duncan Goodhew, Swimathon President and Olympic gold-medallist, said: “Swimathon is incredibly exciting. It enables normal people to do extraordinary things. Everyone’s challenge is very much their own - but not only do their efforts benefit themselves, they benefit their country and the charities.”

Speaking about Swimathon 2017, Cheryl Pottinger, Sports Programme and Events Manager for BETTER Swindon, said “Swimathon 2017 was a great success for Swindon. It was great to see so many swimmers achieve their goals and raise money for Marie Curie.”