Swimarathon brings in over £130,000 for local charities

Monday 13 March 2017

A record-breaking number of teams took part in this weekend's Lions Club Swimarathon.

Around 4,000 swimmers in 465 teams took to the water at Les Quennevais between Wednesday and Sunday, breaking another record by swimming a whopping 28,000 laps over the five days.

The total amount raised was just shy of last year's fundraising record but the money will still go a long way £65,070 will be donated to five charities that provide support services to Jersey's youth. The remainder will go to causes selected by the Lions Club Jersey during the year, including respite holidays at Maison des Landes Hotel, support the charity Pathways.

Lion Andrew Quinn, president of the Lions Club of Jersey, said: "We’re absolutely thrilled by this amazing total and are hugely thankful for all the hard work of everyone involved. The money raised will make a huge difference to many local organisations who benefit our community."

Money raised came from team sponsorship, Just Giving donations plus from long term event sponsor, RBC Wealth Management, a donation for every lap swum. Half of it will go to Brighter Futures, Every Child our Future, Brook Jersey, Brig-y-Don and Jersey Association for Youth & Friendship.

Tim Houghton, Head of Client Experience & Channel Strategy from sponsors RBC Wealth Management added: "This is brilliant news for everyone involved in the Swimarathon, especially the five main beneficiaries who deliver excellent support services to our Island’s youth."