Enter Swimathon 2017 for Marie Curie

Swimathon, the world’s biggest annual fundraising swim is back for 2017 and swimmers across the UK are being encouraged to jump in to one of over 600 participating pools and raise vital funds for Marie Curie, the UK’s leading charity for people living with a terminal illness and their families.

The event will take place across the weekend of 7-9 April and is extra special this year as Swimathon will be celebrating its 30^th anniversary.

Swimathon began in 1986 as a pilot programme for swimmers in London only. Since the launch of the annual event in 1988, nearly 700,000 participants have taken part and raised £46 million which has been distributed to 36 different charities.

Swimmers can challenge themselves to the 5k, 2.5k or 1.5k Individual or Team 5k or 1.5k distances and raise funds for Marie Curie.

Olympic gold medalist Duncan Goodhew and the sporting soprano Laura Wright are heading up this year’s campaign, and are calling on people of all ages to set themselves the challenge and take to the water.

Duncan Goodhew, who is also Swimathon President, said: “For the last 29 years it has been a real joy to see Swimathon develop and mature into the great event it is today. Nowadays there are thousands of well organised sports participation events, mostly running and cycling, which raise money for charity but that wasn’t the case in 1988 when we launched the annual event. Swimathon really was ahead of its time giving people a chance to get active and do some good at the same time. I am so proud of both Swimathon’s longevity and its legacy.

“This year, Swimathon again provides a fantastic opportunity to bring together swimmers of all ages and abilities to raise vital funds for Marie Curie to continue their work caring for people living with any terminal illness, and their families.”

Laura Wright, sporting soprano and official anthem singer for the England Rugby Team, added: “I am delighted to be an ambassador for this year’s Swimathon. Sport and leading a healthy lifestyle is so important to me for both body and mind and Swimathon encourages people young and old to take part to get fit, healthy, and have fun. I want everyone taking part this year to support a friend or family member who is not in the best of health or at peak fitness and encourage them to also take part. Swimming is a sport with a real sense of community and I am looking forward to being a part and helping to raise funds for Marie Curie.

“I am so moved by the incredible work that Marie Curie carries out for people affected by terminal illness. We have all experienced the difficulty of losing a loved one or knowing we’re going to lose a loved one and Marie Curie is a real support system during this traumatic time. I hope that Swimathon will help in raising record amounts this year to help Marie Curie continue supporting and caring for people who need it most.”

Marie Curie is the official charity of Swimathon 2017. Marie Curie is the UK’s leading charity for people with any terminal illness. The charity helps people living with a terminal illness and their families make the most of the time they have together by providing hands-on nursing care and expert hospice care, emotional support, research and guidance to improve the way care is provided in the UK.  Last year, Marie Curie cared for and supported over 50,000 people affected by terminal illness across the UK.

If you have questions about terminal illness, need support or just want to talk, call the Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309. It’s for anyone affected by terminal illness, including family and friends.

For further information about Swimathon including how to sign up visit:  www.Swimathon.org.