SWIMMING legend Duncan Goodhew MBE is calling on Londoners to take the plunge and sign up for Swimathon 2023.
The Swimathon President and former Olympian is making a splash to highlight the annual fundraiser which raises money for Cancer Research UK and the end of life charity Marie Curie.
Duncan, who grew up in Yapton and went to Windlesham House School, Pulborough, is urging people of all ages and abilities to enter the sponsored event taking place at pools across London from 12-14 May. They include:
North London:
Vauxhall Leisure Centre
Kensington Leisure Centre
Chelsea Sport Centre
Hackney, Clissold Leisure Centre, King’s Hall Leisure Centre, London Fields Lido
Isle of Dogs, Tiller Leisure Centre
Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre
Islington, Ironmonger Row Baths and Britannia Leisure Centre
Camden, Pancras Square Leisure Centre
Covent Garden, Oasis Sports Centre
Hatch End Swimming Pool
Kentish Town Sports Centre
Ilford, Fullwell Cross Leisure Centre
Enfield, Southbury Leisure Centre
Camberwell Leisure Centre
Wembley Leisure Centre
Northolt Leisure Centre
Romford, Sapphire Ice & Leisure
Harold Hill, Central Park Leisure
Marylebone, Seymour Leisure Centre
W1, Marshall Street Leisure Centre
Victoria, Queen Mother Sports Centre
Barking, Abbey Leisure Centre
Bayswater, Porchester Centre
West Kilburn, Moberly Sports Centre
Chingford Leisure Centre
Acton Leisure Centre
Finchley Lido Leisure Centre
Hillingdon Sports & Leisure Centre
Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre
South London:
Battersea, Latchmere Leisure Centre
Clapham Leisure Centre
Lee, Colfe’s Leisure Centre
Brockwell Lido
Forest Hill Pools
Tooting Leisure Centre
Dulwich College Sports Club
Elephant & Castle, The Castle Leisure Centre
Eltham, The Eltham Centre and the Eric Liddell Sports Centre, Eltham College
Streatham Ice & Leisure Centre
Erith Leisure Centre
Brixton Recreation Centre
Thornton Heath Leisure Centre
Peckham, Pulse Leisure Centre
Balham Leisure Centre
Rotherhithe, Seven Islands Leisure Centre
New Malden, the Malden Centre
Morden Leisure Centre
Charlton Lido
West Norwood Health & Leisure Centre
Thamesmere Leisure Centre
Teddington Pool & Fitness Centre
Lewisham, Glass Mill Leisure Centre
Putney Leisure Centre
With a variety of distances to choose from – from 400m up to 30.9k – Swimathon offers a challenge for swimmers young and old, new and experienced. People can participate individually or as part of a team.
Any swimmers who can’t make one of the organised sessions can sign up to MySwimathon, which takes place from 28 April – 21 May, and choose a time and venue that suits them.
With rising energy costs putting some community pools at risk of closure, it has been another challenging year for swimming. Not only does the event support vital charities, £2.50 from the entry fee of everybody taking part at an official Swimathon venue is donated to help protect these pools for the future.
Goodhew, who won an Olympic Gold medal for the 100m breaststroke at the 1980 Moscow games, hopes to inspire people to get off the starting blocks and help make a real difference to individuals, families and communities across the UK.
He said:
“I swim as often as I can and will never stop championing this sport. The positive impact that it has both physically and mentally is undeniable, so I’m passionate about Swimathon because it helps to show that swimming is a fun, accessible, and exhilarating form of exercise.
“It is a truly inclusive event with so many ways to take part for every level of swimmer. You don’t need to be the fittest or the fastest. You just need to try your best and enjoy yourself, while fundraising for two important charities who need our support. So, I’m urging people to sign up now, head down to the pool and see how swimming can change their lives – as well as benefitting others.”
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.
Cancer Research UK spokesperson for London, Lynn Daly, said:
“Swimathon is such a great way to encourage people to dip their toe in the water and get swimming. There’s no greater motivation for taking part than helping to support causes that are close to the hearts of so many.
“One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime*, 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 grab their caps and costumes, raise money and help us to keep making new discoveries and breakthroughs. Together we will beat cancer.”
