Swimmers' success for Marie Curie Cancer Care

Richard Alder and a team of 26 swimmers at Summerfields Leisure Centre in Hastings, received a special vote of thanks from the organisers, since they raised the impressive total of 3,602 for the charity.

Other local leisure centres taking part in 'the world's largest swimming fundraising event' included Bexhill Leisure Pool, Ringmer Swimming Pool and Freedomleisure Hailsham.

Swimathon, which is a nationwide event supported by 500 leisure pools and health clubs, is growing in terms of swimmer participation and fundraising each year.

The charity has written to Freedomleisure to pass on thanks and congratulations to all its customers and staff members who have made such a valuable contribution to this important, annual industry event, which in total raised 1.7 million for Marie Curie Cancer Care in 2008.

With Britain's outstanding Gold Medal success in swimming in the Beijing Olympics this summer, the profile of this sport has never been more higher and it is hoped that even more people will take part in the fundraising challenge in 2009.

Swimathon 2009 takes place between April 16-19 with a target of 2 million. (www.swimathonfoundation.org)

For further information about Freedomleisure and the opening times and locations can be found by visiting www.freedom-leisure.co.uk