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This week’s Swimarathon has 2,500 swimmers taking part including the Lieutenant-Governor, the Bailiff’s Chambers, emergency services, dozens of businesses and hundreds of school children.
The five-day event, which is the Island’s biggest sporting fundraiser and has raised more than £3.5 million over the past 50 years, will take place at Les Quennevais from Wednesday to Sunday 8 to 12 March 2023. All of the money raised will be used to support Islanders in need with the three main beneficiaries being Grace Trust, the Salvation Army and the Society of St Vincent de Paul.
‘Hundreds of hours of planning go into the Swimarathon, much of it behind the scenes and without public recognition. With less than a week to go, everything that can be done in advance has been and we are now ready to get to Les Quennevais on Tuesday and set up ready for the official opening on Wednesday morning,’ said Lion Andy Quinn, organising committee chairman.
‘When we see everyone coming in, excited, ready to swim with their sponsorship forms in hand, it makes all those hours of planning worthwhile. Through the committee, the many volunteers who help out over the five days and of course the swimmers, we will be able to make a real difference to the three main beneficiaries who are seeing unprecedented demand for help.’
Ravenscroft is sponsoring the event for the fifth year running and has already committed to being the sole sponsor in 2024 and 2025.
‘Ravenscroft’s support is invaluable. Their sponsorship means all of the money raised by the swimmers goes to charity and they also help with organisation and marketing and of course will be taking part and helping out on poolside. It’s a real partnership and we are extremely grateful to them.’
There are still some slots available for any last minute swimmers who wish to take part. Each slot is 55 minutes long and swimmers must be able to swim 50m, with or without a flotation aid.
‘It is a community event for everyone. We have very young children, swimming with floats right through to swimmers who regularly represent their island. It doesn’t matter how fast you are, how many are in your team or how many laps you complete, it’s about taking part and raising money to help islanders in need,’ said Lion Quinn.
Haydn Taylor, managing director of Ravenscroft in Jersey, said the Swimarathon had a special place in islanders’ hearts.
‘We see how much everyone enjoys it, whether they are in the water, cheering team mates on from the side while dancing to the DJ or supporting from the balcony. It’s a special event and it is a genuine pleasure for Ravenscroft to be involved for a fifth time,’ he said.
Anyone wanting to get involved can contact the Swimarathon administrator by emailing administrator@lionsswimarathon.org
