This year’s Swimathon took place between 16–19 April 2009 in over 500 pools across the UK. Swimmers from Christ’s Hospital, Horsham and the surrounding areas made a difference by taking part at Bluecoat Sports Health & Fitness Club and raising money to help Marie Curie Cancer Care support and care for thousands of terminally ill patients.  Bluecoat Sports, a dual-use leisure facility situated at Christ’s Hospital School, Horsham, topped the South East rankings for the number of swimmers participating and ranked 11^th in the National League table for this year’s event.

Swimathon 2009 was open to everyone, encouraging people to set their own personal challenge by completing a distance of their choice. Swimmers challenged themselves to the ultimate 5K challenge, 2.5K for the intermediate swimmer or 1.5K for those who swim occasionally.

Bluecoat Sports Club Manager, Nigel McMahon, was extremely pleased with this year’s event and wanted to thank all the swimmers, volunteers and staff who put time and effort in to making the event a great success.  “We have been running this event for a number of years but the response this year from members of our Health and Fitness Club, local groups and members of the general public has been fantastic and has made the event the most successful we have run”.

All ages and standards of swimmers entered the event but special mention should be given to Darren Povey who is disabled and relies on a wheelchair but still completed the 1.5 swim.  Several teams entered the event including ‘Mel’s Mermaids’ who were hoping to achieve their 5K challenge in record time, as well as the ‘Red Rebels’, a team made up of Bluecoats’ own operational staff.  Itchingfield Junior School also took part in the Simply Swim challenge during their term time swimming lessons and Christ’s Hospital pupils will be completing their challenge this week.  Horsham’s Leisure Link group ‘Ready & Able’, which provides sporting opportunities for the disabled in the local area, also completed the Simply Swim challenge which was a superb achievement.

Swimathon organiser, Gill Probin added “Events such as these bring the community together in aid of worthwhile charities.  It is an opportunity to keep yourself fit; challenge your limits and a great way to educate people on specific charities and, of course, raise money.”