Tim Lovejoy and Duncan Goodhew launch Swimathon 2013

Entries for Swimathon 2013 are now open with presenter, Tim Lovejoy, and Swimathon President/Olympic gold medallist, Duncan Goodhew, unveiling the official 2013 Swimathon Squad today at Camden Council owned Oasis Sports Centre, London.

As a recreational swimmer, Tim was looking for a challenge in 2013 to test his stamina and build upon his swimming skills, when Duncan approached him to join the Swimathon Squad. Having lost his brother to pancreatic cancer at the age of only 37 in 2003, joining the Squad was an easy decision for Tim with Marie Curie Cancer Care as official charity partner.

With Tim signed up, Duncan hand-picked three additional team members from hundreds of potential swimmers to join the squad: Marie Cure Cancer Care supporter Sue Barclay, who took part in Swimathon last year in memory of her father, Sportsister Editor, Louise Hudson and Swimathon Facebook competition winner, Jennifer Sutton.

The Squad came together for its first official training session as part of the official Swimathon launch event with Duncan leading the team through various training drills to build speed and endurance.

Held at over 600 pools across the UK from 26-28 April, Swimathon 2013 swimmers can challenge themselves through 5k, 2.5k and 1.5k individual distances or Team 5k/1.5k challenges, while raising funds to help Marie Curie Nurses care for terminally ill people at the end of their lives.

Tim said, "I was really excited when Duncan first approached me to be part of the Swimathon Squad. Normally I just swim with my family, so a 5k team challenge for Marie Curie was a great challenge especially as it’s for a charity so close to my heart.

"Like many people, my family has been affected by cancer, so I know just how important the Marie Curie Nursing service is to people at the end of their lives and their families. With the support of the team and Duncan’s coaching skills, I am sure we can pull this team 5k out the bag. We’ve just completed our first session as a team today, so we are all raring to go."

Sue, age 40, commented: "Dad and I often went swimming together when I was little. He even helped me train for a Swimathon I did, aged 9. So, when I saw a poster for the event last year, I thought it would be a great way to remember dad and raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care, who’d looked after him before he died. Their nurses were brilliant. They came around several times a day to offer emotional support and to make sure he’d eaten, washed and had everything he needed to be as comfortable as possible.

"I’ve also lost four stone since I got back into swimming and healthy eating and I aim to do the Swimathon again this year with some friends. It’s a great way to keep off Christmas calories!"

Swimathon President Duncan Goodhew said: "The Swimathon Squad brings together four swimmers from a wide variety of backgrounds, ages and abilities to complete a 5k challenge to help raise funds and awareness of Marie Curie Cancer Care. The Squad will act as an inspiration to the thousands of swimmers who every year dive into the Swimathon challenge regardless of their swimming ability raising in excess of £2.4 million for charity in 2012 alone."

Marie Curie Cancer Care gives people with all terminal illnesses the choice to die at home. Funds raised by taking on Swimathon 2013 will help Marie Curie nurses provide them and their families with free hands-on care and emotional support, in their own homes, right until the end.

Enter online for a Swimathon session before 31 January 2013 and enjoy half price entry.

Swimmer entry is open at www.swimathon.org until 24 April 2013.

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