Marie Curie is encouraging people to put on their swimming costumes and head down to Ross Swimming Pool to take part in a Swimathon Challenge. Swimathon celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and the annual event raises vital funds for the UK’s leading charity for people living with a terminal illness and their families.

The event will take place in April and swimmers can sign up for Saturday, April 8th between 12 pm and 3pm, at the pool in Ross

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.”

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. or call 0121 703 3712.