The Monmouth community joined together as more than 500 people took the plunge in an uplifting swimathon in memory of a kind and caring teenage boy.

Swimmers of all ages and abilities pushed themselves to the limit at the second annual Swim for Tom which this year has so far raised more than £12,000 for Cancer Research Wales.

The main 12-hour event took place in the pool at Monmouth School for Girls on Sunday, January 12th, from 9am to 9pm.

Some swimmers, including Olympian Tom Haffield, completed lengths at other venues across the region which all contributed to the tally.

“The final count is 37,519 lengths or 938km by more than 500 swimmers at five different events,” said Tom’s dad, Tim.

“It is pleasing that Swim for Tom is such a feel-good community event.

“Swim for Tom is about competing with each other to reach a single goal and not against each other. Many people of all abilities pushed themselves to swim further than they had ever done before, including many beginners.”

Tom, from Devauden, near Chepstow, was a pupil at Monmouth School for Boys and a member of Monnow Swimming Club.

He died unexpectedly and suddenly from leukaemia in June 2018, aged 13.

Since Tom’s death, his family – dad, Tim; mum, Debbie; and sisters Holly and Emily - have led efforts to raise more than £100,000 for a research fund, supported by his friends, and the community. The inaugural Swim for Tom raised more than £25,000 for Cancer Research Wales 12 months ago.

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