Water babies of all ages are needed to join The Rotary Club of Accrington’s annual charity Swimathon.
The event, organised by the Rotary Club in partnership with the Observer, is now in its third year and will take place on Sunday, November 22 at Accrington Academy from 1pm to 4pm.
It was attended by more than 200 spectators last year and saw teams complete 1,552 lengths, raising up to £3,000 for charities.
Teams should be comprised of up to five adults, a mixture of up to seven adults and children or a maximum of eight young people and can be groups of workmates, schoolmates, friends or family, with each team having 50 minutes to complete its swim.
Entrants last year included teams from Heathland School, Wellfield School, Peel Park School, Gaskell Motor Bodies and Baxenden St John’s CE Primary School.
The cost is £20 per team to enter and sponsorship raised can be for the team’s own charity or for the Rotary Club, who will then give it to a charity.
Jacquie Baldwin, chair of community services for the Rotary Club, said: “It’s a great way for people to join together and raise money for the cause of their choice which can be Children In Need or a cause that’s important to them personally.
“The atmosphere is always great with spectators cheering and clapping.
“Some of the people who enter might not have got their costumes on for a year or more but that’s fine.”
The Pioneer’79 Swimming Club managed 210 lengths last year - the most of any team.
But entrants can swim as slow or fast as they like.
Jacquie added: “It’s not a competition.
“The Pioneers always go for it but no-one else is under pressure to swim a certain number of lengths.
“It’s just a chance for people to get together with their friends, have a swim and raise money for a good cause.”
Money raised by the Rotary Club last year was used to purchse aquaboxes which filter dirty water to make it clean, the boxes are then sent to other rotary clubs in disadvantaged parts of the world.
Organisers are hoping for around 18 teams to take part this year.
To enter a team or for more information contact Jacquie on 01254 234284 or email bursar@heathlandcollege.co.uk.
