Bromley Swimmers Splashed to raise Cash

24 April 2008

Local swimmers and leisure centre staff took the plunge at 4 of Bromley’s Swimming Pools for Swimathon 2008, the world’s largest swimming fundraising event, and helped raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care and The Swimathon Foundation. 

These were just some of thousands of swimmers who took part in Swimathon 2008 between 17-20 April at over 500 pools across the UK.

At West Wicham Leisure Centre, Bromley’s youngest Swimathon participant Sophea Joyce aged 10, completed 5km in 2 hours, 15 minutes and 39 seconds, raising £380. Nicola Wade followed shortly behind in 2 hours, 16 minutes and 57 seconds, beating her previous time by 15 minutes and raising £560. There were two teams of swimmers under the guidance of Swimming Teacher Kathy Whitehead, ‘the Smurfettes’ and the ‘Allsorts’. They finished the 5km distance between them in 2 hours, 18 minutes and 16 seconds and 2 hours 26 minutes and 5 seconds respectively.

Maureen Cunningham, Swimming Development Officer for Bromley Mytime said: “We were delighted that so many local people and staff donned their costumes and goggles to swim for Marie Curie Cancer Care and The Swimathon Foundation. Swimathon was a great event for us, and brought out a fantastic community spirit at the pools. Many of the spectators who came to support friends and family on the day said they would like to join in next year, so we’re looking forward to an even bigger turnout for the Swimathon weekend 16-19 April 2009”

Duncan Goodhew, Olympic Gold medallist and president of Swimathon, said: “I’d like to give a huge thank you to everyone who swam in Swimathon 2008. The event was a great success and, thanks to the superb efforts of all the swimmers, we are hoping to raise a whopping £1.8 million, 70% of which will go to Marie Curie Cancer Care so that they can continue to provide high quality nursing, totally free, to give terminally ill people the choice of dying at home supported by their families.”

 The photo shows Sophea Joyce aged 10 who was the  youngest Swimathon participant at West Wickham Leisure Centre