Splashing out for charity

Records tumbled as swimmers pounded up and down The Dolphin leisure centre’s swimming pool on Good Friday to raise thousands of pounds for good causes.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Apr 2013, 14:21 BST
JPMT 290313 Swimarathon at Dolphin Leisure Centre, Haywards Heath. Children from Harlands Primary School, Haywards Heath. Photo by Derek MartinJPMT 290313 Swimarathon at Dolphin Leisure Centre, Haywards Heath. Children from Harlands Primary School, Haywards Heath. Photo by Derek Martin
JPMT 290313 Swimarathon at Dolphin Leisure Centre, Haywards Heath. Children from Harlands Primary School, Haywards Heath. Photo by Derek Martin

Nearly 400 swimmers took part in the annual Swimarathon, including town mayor John Sabin.

The annual event, which is organised by Haywards Heath Lions Club, is in its 30th year and has so far raised more than £300,000 for good causes. This year, swimmers raised over £11,000 with more money coming in.

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Teams either chose a charity to donate their sponsorship money to or decided to support the Lions’ chosen charity for 2013, the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Night Flying Appeal. More than £6,500 has been pledged for the Appeal so far.

JPMT 290313 Swimarathon at Dolphin Leisure Centre, Haywards Heath. Children from Harlands Primary School, Haywards Heath. Photo by Derek MartinJPMT 290313 Swimarathon at Dolphin Leisure Centre, Haywards Heath. Children from Harlands Primary School, Haywards Heath. Photo by Derek Martin
JPMT 290313 Swimarathon at Dolphin Leisure Centre, Haywards Heath. Children from Harlands Primary School, Haywards Heath. Photo by Derek Martin

On the morning of the swim, members of the Dolphin management team notched 218 lengths but later in the day, their bench mark was broken by members of the water polo team from ‘Mid Sussex Marlins’ swimming club, who managed an impressive 240 lengths in the allotted 55 minutes.

Town mayor John Sabin swam as part of a Haywards Heath Town Council team and congratulated competitors, Lions Club president, Colin Marsh ( see our video) and all the club’s helpers for their hard work and dedication.

Lion Peter Parr, who was one of the Swimarathon’s main organisers, said: “It was an excellent effort all round, with 64 teams of six swimmers.”