The first Charity Swimathon organised by the Rotary Club of Mansfield and the Armchair Club has been hailed a success.
Past president of the Rotary Club and one of the organisers, Denise Starkey, said: “What a fantastic event it was. I cannot thank everyone involved enough, the volunteers, spectators and especially the swimmers, who took to the water and made this event extremely successful.
“Everyone involved thoroughly enjoyed themselves with lots of fun and many sponsored lengths were swum throughout the evening.
“I am really looking forward to Swimathon 2020 as this is certainly going to become an annual event for Mansfield Rotary and the Armchair Club, which allows us to continue supporting local charities and organisations in our community and sport stars of the future.”
The event was started by the president of the Rotary Club, John Bilzon, who was the first to take the plunge. “We had a great evening and have laid down some firm foundations, we now need to build on them,” he said.
The swimathon was held at the Water Meadows Swimming and Fitness Complex, Mansfield — with Education Mutual and HW Martin Waste Ltd the sponsors.
Commonwealth Games swimmer Elliot Clogg and Paralympic medallist Charlotte Henshaw — who has switched to Paracanoe after a successful career as a swimmer — supported the event by taking part.
Sponsorship was based on the number of lengths swum in a 15-minute time slot by swimmers, who could also be supported through a fixed sum.
Half of the money raised by each team of up to six went to their chosen cause — an organisation or charity — with the other 50% being shared by Mansfield Rotary Club Benevolent Fund and the Armchair Club Sports Foundation Trust. The Armchair Club is a group of local businessmen who have been providing financial support for local sports people since 1982.
Elliot said he enjoyed taking part in such an event in its infancy to support the Armchair Club, whose financial backing when he was younger made participating in training camps abroad more possible.
He was surprised to be able to clock up 62 lengths in his 15 minute window while not generally going at a competitive pace.
Charlotte added: “The support I have received from the people of Mansfield has been amazing throughout my career and I think it’s part of my job to give back to the people who have supported me thus far.”
Geoff Waller, chairman of the Mansfield District Leisure Trust, which operates the Water Meadows complex, said: “Mansfield District Leisure Trust is delighted to have been able to support Mansfield Rotary Club and the Armchair Club in the organising the first Swimathon in Mansfield.
“The trust is confident that the event will prove to be successful in the years ahead in raising money in support of local charities and sports clubs.”
- Sara Arnold
- Elliot Clogg.
- Jared Collins.
- Brian Patching.
- John Bilzon.
- Louise Foster.
- Siohban Foster.
- Lawrence Burton.
- Colin Burton.
- Guest swimmer, Elliot Clogg.
- RAF swimmer, Adam Allen.
- RAF swimmer, Josh Morgan.
- RAF swimmer, Daniel Butler.
- Rotary Club President, John Bilzon pictured with swimmers from the RAF Cadet Force.
- Rotary Club president John Bilzon is presented with his swim certificate.
- RAF swimmer, Josh Gundel.
- RAF swimmer, Jack James Mellors.
- RAF swimmer, Thomas Stoppard.
- RAF swimmer, Lewis Orli.
- RAF swimmer, Alex Fretwell.
- RAF swimmer, Terri-Ann Birkin.
- RAF swimmer, Cameron Ball.
- Rotary Club President, John Bilzon pictured with swimmers, Charlotte Henshaw, Colin Radmore and Christine Bacon.
- RAF cadet, Josh Gundel who organised a team for the swimathon.
- RAF cadets do their bit.
- Charlotte Henshaw pictured during her swim.
- Charlotte Henshaw pictured before her swim.
- Christine Bacon pictured before her swim.
- Amelia Arnold takes part in the swimathon event.
- Amelia Arnold takes part in the swimathon event.
- Katie Rickersey takes part in the swimathon event.
- Harry Arnold takes part in the swimathon event.
- Elliot Clogg finishes his lengths for the Rotary and Armchair Club’s swimathon event.
- Elliot Clogg
- Rotary President, John Bilzon, is first away in the swimathon at the Water Meadows.