Dive deep for Skipton Swimarathon
A WEEK to go and the Skipton Swimarathon has seen all of its lane slots at Beau Sejour filled.
It will be the first full house in several years for the fundraiser as corporates, schools and community groups will turn out in force from 7 October.
Skipton Swimarathon committee chairman Nick Guillemette said he was thrilled to see such unprecedented support.
‘At this stage, no matter what happens next I believe the event has been a success in terms of the overwhelming support we have received,’ he said.
‘What we need to do now is to ensure that this translates into donations for a number of worthy causes, especially our main beneficiary the Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association.
‘I would encourage everyone to dig deep and spare whatever cash they possibly can to make a real difference to our community and people’s lives.
‘We’ve already broken records in terms of attendance, let’s see if we can break the records once more for the amount of charitable funds raised.’
Last year enjoyed the biggest turnout to date with a record number of swimmers – over 2,500 – taking part and funds raised topping the £60,000 mark for the first time.
This year, for the first time ever, the swimarathon will see all island schools participating together, with the ‘At Large’ schools of Les Beaucamps High, St Sampson’s High, Le Murier School and Elizabeth College.
They will welcome over 500 of their students into their respective 25m school pools before the main event at Beau Sejour.
More than £1,600,000 has been raised for Guernsey charities since the swimarathon began over 40 years ago and this year’s main beneficiary, the Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association, hopes to use the funds raised to expand the service they provide to the island to support more carers of those with dementia.
GAA manager Julie Thompson said: ‘The increased demand on our charity has meant that we have already started to recruit additional sitters for the carers of those who suffer from a form of dementia and therefore desperately need funds
to cover the cost of their training.
‘We have been amazed by the public support so far and by the hard work of the Swimarathon organising committee in bringing about this event in the face of enormous challenges.
‘We have every faith that this year’s event will be bigger and better than even before.’
n The event will begin on 7 October at Beau Sejour, opened by the Bailiff, Richard McMahon, with Dr Nicola Brink launching the 11am session on Saturday 10 October.
