A grandfather is hoping to make waves with his family at this year’s Swimathon.

Anthony Helliwell, 65, will be taking part in the annual charity event with his daughter and granddaughter.

Anthony, who is the president of the Accrington Rotary Club, which organises the event in partnership with the Observer, is hoping to raise funds for a water charity by taking part.

Anthony said: “I, my daughter, my granddaughter and friend Barbara Mills will be taking part in the Swimathon.

“I’ve never swam it before but I thought as president of the rotary club I would make an appearance this year.”

Anthony added: “As a rotary club we are trying to raise enough money to buy two Aquaboxes. They are boxes which filter dirty water to make it clean and they are sent to other rotary clubs in disadvantaged parts of the world.

“The boxes cost around £300 so we are hoping to make a bit of that up in sponsorship.”

Anthony said that while he may not be swimming 100 lengths in the event, his grandaughter and daughter would be putting in a performance.

He said: “When you get to my age my shoulders don’t work like they used to, but it will be good to take part even if I only do two or three lengths.

“My grandaughter is in the Pioneer Club so that should rub off.”

Last year Pioneer’79 Swimming Club managed to smash the national Swimathon record by racking up 217 lengths in 50 minutes at the event.

Jacquie Baldwin, community chair of the Accrington Rotary Club, said that there are currently seven teams on board for this year’s swim.

She said that the club was hoping to attract more than the 23 teams which competed last year. Jacquie said: “It is a great event and it would be fantastic if we could get more teams than last year.”

Swimmers of all standards are welcome and each team member can swim as many or as few lengths as they feel comfortable with.

Competitors swim for a total of 50 minutes in teams of up to five adults or eight children. Each team can donate its sponsorship proceeds to the rotary club or its own preferred charity.

The Rotary Club is currently looking for more teams to sign up to the event which will be held on Sunday, November 23.

The entry fee for the Swimathon is £20 per person. To enter a team contact Jacquie on 07720 721640.