Story added: 7th December 2015

Charity swim event raises over £200 for CSF

Last Saturday, staff at Riverside Leisure Centre in Norwich hosted a sponsored swim event to help raise money for the Community Sports Foundation (CSF).

Over twenty participants took to the pool and swam various distances across the evening.

Deaf Olympic hopeful Oliver Kenny joined CSF Ambassador and Paralympian Jessica-Jane Applegate as the special guests for the Swimathon.

The pair have received support from CSF and are currently training hard for the Deaf Olympics and Paralympics in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

Alongside the swim there was an opportunity to purchase coffee and cakes, visit Santa’s Grotto and take part in a raffle.

CSF Fundraising Officer, Emma Fletcher, said:

“We are so grateful to Riverside Leisure Centre who have put a great deal of time and effort in to organising the event.

“It was brilliant to see Jess and Oli offering their support, signing autographs and taking photographs with entrants.”

Phil Wright, Riverside Leisure Centre Contract Manager was delighted with the success of the pilot event:

“The idea was to encourage people to swim a distance which was a challenge for them whilst having fun and raising money for a good cause.

“A big thank you to everyone who took part, including Jessica and Oli who kindly came along to provide inspiration to participants.”

The total amount raised from the charity swim was £204.50 which will go towards improving the quality of life for disadvantaged and disabled people across Norfolk.

To find out more or how you can get involved with the next Swimathon, please contact Emma Fletcher: [email protected].