Local businesses and charities are invited to participate in the 2014 Wilmslow Swimathon to be held in March.
The Rotary Club of Alderley Edge & Bollin Valley have been organising an annual Swimathon at Wilmslow Leisure Centre since 1989. Typically over 200 people take part each year and over £140,000 has been raised since the event began for many local and national charities.
A number of local charities, already support the Swimathon and 50% of the money raised by each team, is kept by them providing a useful source of funds for their own special projects.
This year's event will take place on Saturday 15th March and Saturday 22nd March from 6pm to 8pm.
Andrew Henshall, swimathon organiser, said "Why not raise a team of six swimmers to swim for an hour, and help us to make the 2014 Wilmslow Swimathon the best ever. This is open to all businesses and all charities as well as youth organisations based in the local area.
"Several teams will have been ever present since our first event. We give our sincerest thanks to these teams and all the others who have taken part in the Swimathon over the years. We hope that you will be there in March, whether as newcomers or seasoned veterans."
Each team consists of six swimmers who swim on a relay basis. They will be allocated a lane in the pool and how the team organises the swim is left up to them. Some teams have their strongest swimmers swim several consecutive lengths to give their team mates a longer rest, whilst teams of less than six swimmers may enter but this means more swimming by each member.
Each evening is divided into hourly slots at 6pm or 7pm and the aim is to swim as many lengths of the pool as you can in 55 minutes. The other five minutes is for change over. The Wilmslow pool is 25 metres long and an average team will swim around 100 lengths during their slot. Each team member can expect to swim around 16 – 17 lengths with a rest of about 3 minutes in between.
Andrew added "This is well within the capabilities of the average (unfit) swimmer. Water wings have been known. The event is a bit of fun not a race. Supporters are welcome.
"Participating teams raise money by each member getting sponsors for their efforts either on a per length completed by the team or a fixed sum basis."
Click here to download an entry form, the closing date for entries is Saturday 8th March.
Click here to download the Swimathon sponsorship form.
