KEEN swimmers are once again being called upon to don their trunks for charity as an epic annual swimming fundraiser returns in 2024.

Northwich Rotary Club is hosting its 22nd Swimathon at the Memorial Court pool in the town, hoping to raise around £10,000 for local charities and good causes.

Open to swimmers of all ages and abilities, the events will see almost 300 people take the plunge as around 36 teams complete lengths for six hours over a weekend.

While the main aim is fundraising, Rotarian Hannah Graham said it was the enjoyment of the event which brings many people back each year.  

She added: “Our 21st Swimathon in 2023 celebrated the club’s centenary and raised much needed funds for local charities and good causes, and we hope this year’s event will raise something in the region of £10,000.

"However, the event is not just about raising money, as it’s our experience those who take part really enjoy it and we have many teams and individuals who come back each year."

Local businesses, organisations and individuals are invited to enter teams of around six swimmers who then ask friends, relations, and work colleagues to sponsor them.

Although not a race and teams are not expected to compete against each other, participants will again be encouraged to introduce an element of challenge between teams for those who are interested.

The Swimathon takes place between 4pm and 7pm on both Saturday, March 23, and Sunday, March 24.

Each team has a 55-minute slot but only one member of each team swims at once so there is no need for any one person to swim for the whole time.

Team members usually take it in turns to swim a length each, with all sponsorship based on the team's total lengths.

The pool is divided into six lanes so six teams swim for each period of 55 minutes with a five-minute changeover period for the next six teams to get in place.

Amy Norman, a partner at Butcher & Barlow which is sponsoring this year's event alongside CRS Consultants, said: “We are delighted to team up with Northwich Rotary Club and CRS Consultants once again to sponsor the 2024 Swimathon.

"We have entered teams in previous Swimathons and it’s a fantastic event for both those taking part and for the charities that receive funding."

Clive Steggel, a Northwich Rotarian who, along with his company CRS Consultants, is a strong supporter of Rotary in Northwich events, said: “Rotary in Northwich continues to develop and the Swimathon is one of our main fundraising events.

"We are hoping for a bigger and better event, where we’ll see more people joining the Swimathon fun in March and, ultimately, more money raised for the chosen charities."

Light refreshments are provided for all swimmers after their swim and each is given a team photograph, a certificate showing their team's number of lengths and a memento of the event showing they have participated in the Swimathon.

Northwich Rotary Club has run the event for more than 20 years and, so far, has raised more than £180,000 for local charities.

The nominated charities for 2024 are Mid Cheshire MIND and Clatterbidge Cancer Centre. However, once again, and in addition to these charities, teams can nominate their own charity to receive half the sum raised by the team.

Teams are now able to make their entry to the event directly through rotaryinnorthwich.org.uk/swimathon. Donations from non-swimmers who wish to support the event can also be made with Gift Aid via the website.

Email swimathon@rotaryinnorthwich.org.uk with any queries.