A RECORD £96,600 has been raised by the Swimarathon 2004.
Almost half the Island turned up to take part in this year’s event, which was the biggest and most successful ever.Organiser Alistair Sarre said that 35,000 people - 40 per cent of Jersey’s population - either swam or sponsored the swim, not including those who turned up to give their support.He and fellow Lions Club members started putting the event together in August knowing the move from Fort Regent, where the event was been held for 32 years, to the new venue at Les Quennevais, could have an impact on its future.
Despite their concerns it turned out to be a record-breaking year.
The highest ever number of Islanders took part with 2,154 people diving into the pool and setting a record number of laps.
In 55 minutes the Lions Club managed to swim 115 lengths, which put them just one lap ahead of the team from the Education, Sport and Culture Committee.Mr Sarre said: ‘This year everyone went that extra mile to keep this great community event alive and every hour, on the hour, there was a huge buzz as the next teams arrived.
Everyone at Les Quennevais was fantastic and went beyond the call of duty to help us out.
Huw Bolle-Jones, the group chief executive of our main sponsor, Abacus Financial Services, even swam this year with his two children, Annie and Evan.’The money raised by this year’s event will go to Jersey Focus on Mental Health and other Island charities.
Article posted on 15th March, 2004 - 12.00am
Most Commented: