Help raise cash for charity with sponsored swim (From Thisisdorset)
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Help raise cash for charity with sponsored swim
1:30pm Monday 17th September 2012 in Latest By Harry Hogger
WATER CHALLENGE: Teams from Dorchester Rugby Club dive into the pool at the start of last year’s annual fundraiser
SWIMMERS are being urged to take the plunge and sign up for a charity event in Dorchester .
The Dorchester and District Lions Club is holding its 30th Swimarathon event on Saturday, October 13 and Sunday, October 14, although this year it will have a new setting at the soon-to-be-opened Dorchester Sports Centre.
The community event has raised over £100,000 over the years for local good causes and with the new six-lane pool hosting the Swimarathon, the Lions are hoping to attract more teams than usual.
The Lions have been inspired by the Paralympics and the majority of the proceeds from this year’s event will go to support sport for the disabled in the local area, with teams also able to raise funds for their favourite charity.
The Swimarathon is the Lions’ second major annual fundraising event of the year along with the charity Fun Run.
Lion Andy Rose said: “The club has recently donated to local cancer support groups from the proceeds of our Fun Run in May and wanted to continue to support the Paralympic theme by making Local Sport for the Disabled the main beneficiary of this year’s Swimarathon.
“We are hoping to raise over £6,000 from the event – and we are confident that we can meet our target.”
The Lions Club is also still looking to secure a main sponsor for the event and is keen to hear from any local businesses that would like to get involved.
The Swimarathon will be the first major event to be held at the new £8million sports centre and will see teams of up to six swimming consecutively in one-hour slots.
The event starts at 1pm on Saturday, October 13, with one-hour slots for each team until 6pm and there are also two one-hour slots from 10am on Sunday, October 14.
Entry forms are available from the Thomas Hardye Leisure Centre, the Dorchester Tourist Information Centre in Antelope Walk or from the Lions website at lionsdorchester.org.uk
£500 given to support group
A SUPPORT group for people with stomach cancer based at Dorchester County Hospital has received a major boost from the Dorchester and District Lions Club.
The club handed out their latest cheque from the proceeds of their annual Fun Run to the GO (Gastrectomy and Oesphagectomy) Group.
The group offers information and support to anyone who has undergone surgery for cancer of the stomach or oesophagus.
Lions president Doug Bowring presented a cheque for £500 to clinical nurse specialist and group treasurer Jane Wraight, who was supported by members June and John Gough.
Lion Andy Rose said: “The Lions have been pleased to make this donation.
“We recognise the valuable and often unnoticed service that this group provides.
“It is not funded by the NHS and relies on donations and fundraising for its on-going activities.
“This £500 donation is one of four that the Lions will make to local cancer support groups from money raised at the Lions Fun Run.”
