Big-hearted Castle Point residents are being asked to take the plunge to help out cancer victims. Staff at Runnymede Pool, in Kiln Road, Thundersley, are hoping to make a splash and raise £2million for Macmillan Cancer Research as part of Butlins' Swimathon 2003.

Around 40,000 swimmers across the country are expected to take part in the event which will involve 550 pools in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

To make it even more fun, Runnymede pool staff are putting on two exclusive swimathon sessions between March 17 and 23.

Trudy Norman, of Runnymede Pool, said: "The swimathon is a fantastic event, not only does all the money raised go to charity, but it gives us all a challenge and a chance to burn off some of that Christmas excess.

"There has been a real buzz surrounding the event and our participants just cannot wait to dive in and raise some cash for charity."

Those wanting to take part can sign up for one of seven challenging swims - the individual 5,000 metres, the half swimathon (individual 2,500 metres), the relay (5,000 metres for four people), the fun swimathon (individual 1,500 metres) the team swimathon (5,000 metres between up to six people) and the simple swim for those who want to take part but cannot make any of the sessions. Finally there is the new endurance swimathon - the individual 10,000 metres.

Published Friday, January 31, 2003

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