FORMER team GB swimmer Mark Foster is calling on Londoners to take the plunge and sign up for Swimathon 2022.
The swimming hero is helping to highlight the annual fundraiser which raises money for Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie.
He is urging people of all ages and abilities to enter the sponsored event taking place at pools across London from 6-8 May, including:
North London:
Newham Leisure Centre
Tiller Leisure Centre, Isle of Dogs
London Aquatics Centre, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Central YMCA
Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre
St Pancras Square Leisure Centre
Porchester Centre, Bayswater
Seymour Leisure Centre, Marylebone
Leytonstone Leisure Centre
New Barnet Leisure Centre
Finchley Lido
Poplar Baths
Britannia Leisure Centre, Hackney
Kentish Town Sports Centre
Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre
Vale Farm Sports Centre, Wembley
Wembley Leisure Centre
Kings Hall, Clapton
Moberley Sports Centre, Kensal Green
Kensington Leisure Centre
Queen Mother Sports Centre, Victoria
Chelsea Sports Centre
Everyone Active, Acton
London Fields Lido, Hackney
South London:
Latchmere Leisure Centre, Battersea
Peckham Pulse
Crystal Palace Sports Centre
South Norwood Leisure Centre
Colfe’s Leisure Centre, Greenwich
The Greenwich Centre
Charlton Lido
Forest Hill Pool
Glass Mill, Lewisham
Wavelengths, Lewisham
Balham Leisure Centre
Streatham Leisure Centre
Tooting Leisure Centre
West Norwood Health & Leisure
Brixton Rec
Clapham Leisure Centre
Thamesmere Leisure Centre
Seven Islands Leisure Centre, Rotherhithe
The Castle SE1
Waterfront, Woolwich
Dulwich College
Brockwell Lido
Putney Leisure Centre
Erith Leisure Centre
Walnuts Leisure Centre
Sidcup Leisure Centre
Crook Log, Bexleyheath
Eric Liddell, Eltham
People can participate in Swimathon individually or as part of a team. There are a variety of distances to choose from – from 400m up to 30.9k.
Swimmers who can’t make one of the organised sessions can sign up to MySwimathon, which takes place from 29 April -15 May, and choose a time and venue that suits them.
After another challenging year for the sport, following the impact of the pandemic, Mark is championing the positive power of swimming to help inspire people to get back to the pool.
He said: “Swimming is a fantastic form of exercise, with a wide range of benefits for both your physical and mental health and is accessible to people with varying abilities and needs.
“So, whether you’re a keen swimmer who is in the pool all the time, prefer to be in open water or if you are just dipping your toes in for the first time, Swimathon is the perfect challenge for everyone. That’s why I’m asking everyone to get involved and feel the benefits of this fantastic sport whilst raising money for two great charities in Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie.”
Swimathon is the world’s largest annual swimming fundraiser. Since launching in 1986, more than 750,000 swimmers have taken part, raising over £55 million for charitable causes. This year will also see the Swimathon Foundation donate £2.50 from the entry fee of everybody taking part at an official Swimathon venue to help protect these pools for the future.
Lynn Daly Cancer Research UK spokesperson for London, said: “It really doesn’t matter if you’re not the fittest or the fastest, Swimathon is such a fun and simple way to encourage people to get swimming – all while supporting causes which are close to the hearts of so many.
“1 in 2 of us will get cancer*, but all of us can support the research that will beat it. From proving the link between smoking and cancer to laying the foundations for modern radiotherapy – our scientists have been at the forefront of cancer research for 120 years. And we’re not stopping now. That’s why we’re urging swimmers to dive in this spring, raise money and help us keep investing in science today to deliver the treatments of tomorrow. Together we will beat cancer.”
Marie Curie Nurse, Janet Lockheart, and Healthcare Assistant, Amy Chellew, will be undertaking Swimathon this year, after originally planning to do it in 2020. Janet said:
“We decided to do Swimathon to raise money to support the wonderful team at Marie Curie and the people that we care for. We’ve seen first-hand the difference fundraising can make to families that need our support, so to be able to do this for them, and for those supported by Cancer Research UK is amazing. Swimming is a great way to get fit and raise money, so we’re really excited – we’ve been waiting two years to say we’ve completed Swimathon.”
Not only will taking part help to raise money, moderate exercise such as swimming can help build stamina, burn calories and keep a healthy body weight, which reduces the risk of a range of diseases including cancer. Swimming regularly is also gentle on the joints, can lower stress levels, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve sleep patterns.
Sign up for Swimathon 2022 at swimathon.org. Between 8-16 March use code SPRINGSALE35 for a 35% discount off the registration fee.
