Get paddling to help good causes

Harborough Rotary Club has launched this year's Swimarathon

The event takes place over the weekend of March 5 and 6, from 4-8pm on both days, and raises money for a number of charities.

There are already more than 20 teams of swimmers registered for the event, which is in its sixth year.

Many are teams who have swum before and enjoyed doing it so much that they have come back again. Anybody can enter a team to swim.

Those who have already entered teams include the ladies of Great Bowden, Little Bowden and Harborough Primary School, staff from Waitrose, Harborough Town under 10s team, and the St John Ambulance cadets.

Rotarian Rennie Quinn, who is organising the swim team entries, said: “We really enjoy putting on this event in the town. It is a lot of hard work, but all the Rotarians join in to help. It is great to see so many happy swimmers.

“Some new swim teams this year are from the organisations which were given grants from last year’s event, which is pleasing.”

Rotarian Gordon Etherington, chair of the organising group, said: “This is mainly an opportunity to enjoy a friendly swim with your friends and supporters. The sponsorship is a good way you can help Rotary to support local groups to make a difference in and around Market Harborough.

“We are pleased that Harborough FM will once again be supporting the Rotary Club by providing poolside music and announcements during the event.”

Money raised is donated to Harborough-area organisations.

After the SwiMarathon, applications for grants will be invited in the Harborough Mail, on Harborough FM and the Rotary SwiMarathon website. Last year awards were made to 32 groups for amounts ranging from £25 to £500.

Any business, or person, that wants to offer sponsorship for the event is urged to contact Rotarian Doug Woollard on 01858 525254 or email [email protected].

Mr Etherington added: “Business sponsorship covers the costs of putting on the event, so that means more of the money raised by swimmers will go to local charities.”

If you want to swim, email [email protected] and book a place for your team. You can also download the application form from www.rotarymarketharborough.org.uk/swimarathon.