Thousands of pounds raised as Swimarathon makes a splash
Town centre: 102 teams in swimarathon
A total of 167 miles were swam as the Maidenhead Lions’ Swimarathon returned for its 35th year at the weekend.
The relay event at the Magnet Leisure Centre in Holmanleaze has raised nearly £1million for good causes since it started in the 1980s.
It was an early start for the 102 teams taking part with the first hour beginning at 7am, and ending at 7pm. They had signed up to try and surpass last year’s total of £35,000 raised.
Each team nominated a good cause to benefit from their swim, with donations and gift aid shared 50:50 between the charity and the Lions.
Many good causes are expected to benefit once again from the event, which is sponsored by the Louis Baylis Trust, owners of the Advertiser.
Organiser Brenda Butler said she was ‘confident’ of going over the £35,000 mark this year.
The total amount pledged on the day was just shy of £27,000 but further sponsorship money is expected to come through.
“What is pledged on the day always increases,” she said. “I am very confident of going over the £35,000.”
More than 800 swimmers swam a total of 5,377 laps of the pool between them – from seasoned club members to those who had
never been in one before.
They also received a visit from Maidenhead MP Theresa May and her husband Philip, as well as the Royal Borough’s deputy mayor Cllr Gary Muir.
Brenda said: “It is important in so many ways. The children and adults are swimming as a team, enjoying the spirit and camaraderie, and achieving something amazing – raising money for their favourite good causes and the Lions Charitable Trust.
“The Lions will use our half of the money throughout the year to support local people in need.
“There is so much that we can do with that money. Everybody is helping everyone else.”
Brenda extended her thanks to the 55 volunteers who made the event possible, as well as the Magnet for hosting and the Louis Baylis Trust for sponsoring.