Make a splash for charity

WHO fancies a dip and to do it for a good cause? Swimathon 2009 is set to make a splash as it launches at pools all over Norfolk and Suffolk this month.

As the world's largest fundraising swim, thousands of swimmers will take part in over 500 pools nationwide between April 16-19.

Entrants will be able to make a difference by taking part and helping the lives of thousands of terminally ill patients through the donations to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Now in its 23rd year, over half a million swimmers have taken part in Swimathon, swimming the equivalent of over 24 times round the world and raising over �30 million for charity.

Over the past two years, 30,000 swimmers have taken part in Swimathon and have raised more than �3m for Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Swimathon Foundation.

Marie Curie Cancer Care is one of the UK's largest charities that employ more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals. Marie Curie provides high quality home nursing, totally free to give terminally ill patients the choice of dying at home supported by their families. As well as providing a home nursing service, the charity runs a number of Marie Curie Hospices across the UK which actively promote the best quality of life for people with cancer and other illnesses, completely free.

The 2009 face of Swimathon, Eleanor Simmonds, who at 13 years of age, became Britain's youngest ever individual Olympic and Paralympic double gold medallist in Beijing said: “Swimming is a great activity for anyone of any age or ability and the great thing about Swimathon is that you can do it at your own pace and at a distance of your own choice. I think everyone should take part as its something that anyone can benefit from health wise, but it will also be fun!”

To find out more about Swimathon or sign-up for the 2009 challenge go to: www.swimathon.org

To find out more about Marie Curie Cancer Care, please visit www.mariecurie.org.uk

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