2017 Swimarathon gets off to a splashing start

Thursday 09 March 2017

Jersey's biggest annual community swimming event is now underway, with more than 4000 swimmers jumping into the pool at Les Quennevais over the next four days.

The annual fundraiser was opened yesterday by Bailiff William Bailhache and a record number of teams have signed up to make a splash at this year's event.

Teams from schools, businesses and charities across the Island will be spreading their butterfly wings and dolphin kicking their way up and down Les Quennevais pool to raise money for five local charities.

@HauteVallee opening the swimarathon 2017. What a great atmosphere #HVproud pic.twitter.com/Wz45jh66Jt

— Mrs Griffiths (@HV_community) March 8, 2017

AMAZING: Go team #Headway
Our team including brain injury survivors are doing the #JerseyCI #Swimarathon https://t.co/qbQKNMBdgp

— HeadwayJersey (@HeadwayJersey) March 8, 2017

Funds raised by Islanders will be split between Brig-y-Don, Every Child Our Future, Brook Jersey, Jersey Association for Youth & Friendship and Brighter Futures- all charities that work to support the young people of Jersey.

Last year the event raised £138,130 and with a record number of teams signed up to swim in this years’ fundraiser Swimarathon organisers, the Lions Club of Jersey, are hopeful they will be able to raise a ‘great sum of money.’ 

Tim Houghton, Head of Client Experience & Channel Strategy from RBC Wealth Management said: ‘We hope as many people as possible will support all participating teams. Donations can either be made by sponsoring someone you know who is taking part, or by going to the Swimarathon JustGiving page.”

RBC Wealth Management are sponsoring the event for an 11th year and they will donate a sum of money for every lap swum in addition to sponsoring the RBC Wealth Management Corporate Challenge Cup.

Whilst it may be too late to sign up and fetch your swimming hat, grab your goggles and suit up for a swim, there is still time to donate to this years’ Swimarathon- Just go to https://www.justgiving.com/lionsswimarathon.