‘Laura Wright and Duncan Goodhew’
Swimathon, the world’s biggest annual fundraising swim is back for 2017 and swimmers across the UK are being encouraged to jump in to one of the 600 participating pools and raise vital funds for Marie Curie, the UK’s leading charity for people with any terminal illness. The event, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2017, takes place over the weekend of 7-9 April.
Swimathon began in 1986 as a pilot programme, for swimmers in London only. Since the launch of the annual event in 1988, nearly 700,000 participants have taken part and raised £46 million which has been distributed to 36 different charities. The event attracts swimmers of all abilities, from experienced swimmers through to novices in the pool. Entrants can choose to take on a distance of 1.5k, 2.5k or 5k and head down to their closest participating pool to complete the challenge.
Laura said of her new role;
“I am delighted to be an Ambassador for this year’s Swimathon. Sport and leading a healthy lifestyle is so important to me for both body and mind and Swimathon encourages people young and old to take part to get fit, healthy, and have fun. I am a great supporter in sports rehabilitation programmes and I personally want to encourage everyone taking part this year to support a friend or family member who is not in the best of health or at peak fitness and encourage them to also take part. Swimming is a sport with a real sense of community and I am looking forward to being a part of it all helping to raise funds for Marie Curie.
I am so moved by the incredible work that the Marie Curie Organisation carries out for people living with terminal illnesses and their families. We have all experienced the hardship of dealing with losing a loved one or knowing we are going to lose a loved one and Marie Curie is a real support system during this traumatic time. I hope that Swimathon will help in raising record amounts this year to help Marie Curie in maintaining this level of support and care for people who need it most.”
‘Laura Wright and Duncan Goodhew at The London Marie Curie Hospice, Hampstead.’