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Southport swimmers go to
great lengths in cancer research fundraiser
PARTICIPANTS in a mammoth swimathon
have swam the equivalent of the English Channel 3 times; plus an extra 10
miles on top; to raise £5,000 for North West Cancer Research.
The fundraiser, held at Victoria Leisure and Fitness, was a group effort
with a total of 77 enthusiastic swimmers aged between eight and 79 years old
taking part.
Together they clocked up 73 miles over a period of 12 hours to raise the
final amount, which will be donated to North West Cancer Research via the
charity's Southport fundraising Committee.
1 swimmer in particular, June Obersby, went the extra mile and raised a
whopping £405; the biggest single total amount raised on the day. She was
rewarded for her efforts with a 1 night's stay at The Ramada Hotel.
Wally Birch, owner and director of Victoria Leisure and Fitness Centre and
who at 79 was the swimathon's oldest participant, said:- "It was a
great day and we were amazed by the number of people who turned up.
Regardless of ability and distance covered, every single person had a
significant part to play in helping us raise this wonderful amount of money.
I chose North West Cancer Research to benefit from the fundraiser, as I
strongly support its commitment to finding a way to stop cancer. I know they
rely heavily on financial contributions so I'm happy to help in whatever way
I can."
Victoria Leisure and Fitness centre's donation will contribute to North West
Cancer Research's latest commitment to fund £11.2 million worth of cancer
research across the North West over the next 5 years; £7.7 million of which
will be spent at the University of Liverpool.
Olive Cutts, chair of the Southport Committee, who accepted the cheque on
behalf of North West Cancer Research said:- "We are so grateful to
Wally and his fellow swimmers for their amazing contribution and equally as
impressed with the distance they managed to cover. Fundraising committees
rely heavily on the support of local communities and this is another great
example of enjoyable ways to raise money."
Anne Jackson, Chief Executive at North West Cancer Research also adds:-
"This is phenomenal effort from Victoria Leisure & Fitness Centre. Donations
like this are instrumental in our overall fundraising strategy and combined,
they enable us to pledge more funding for research and therefore progressing
on the available treatments for cancer."
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