Rotary Swimarathon raises more than 20k

King’s Lynn Priory Rotary and Hunstanton & District Rotary host events to raise money for charity

"The atmosphere is joyous," says Phil Davies, from Lynn Priory Rotary Club, "It's obvious how much people enjoy themselves because they come back year after year, and they all say afterwards how enjoyable it was. It is brilliant." 

Hundreds of swimmers of all ages and abilities made the big splash for charity at this year's event, with 33 teams of up to 6 swimmers at Lynn and 7 teams of 4 at Hunstanton, all swimming in relays for an hour slot. 

The Lynn swimmers covered an impressive combined total of more than 4,000 lengths of the 25 metre pool, an impressive distance of more than 70 miles in a hectic 6 hours.

Lynn swim

"Special mention should go to one of the QEH Rehab teams, who managed an incredible 235 lengths, and to The Lavender Hill Mob Theatre Company, who had only 2 swimmers and still managed a courageous and highly creditable 38 lengths," says Phil.

Three primary schools entered teams, South Wootton Primary, Runcton Holme’s Holy Cross, and Glebe House RotaKids at Hunstanton.

South Wootton Federation pupils

Charities entering teams and benefitting from the event included Break Children’s Homes, Forward Day Centre, Homestart Norfolk, the Lavender Hill Mob Theatre Company, Little Discoverers, Little Miracles King’s Lynn and Fenland, Norfolk and Waveney Mind, The Papillon Project, the Purfleet Trust, the QEH Rehab Unit, St Faith’s Church, Tapping House, West Norfolk Autism Group, and West Norfolk Riding for the Disabled.

"Donations are still coming in and have yet to be totalled, but we expected just over 20 thousand pounds," Phil adds.

The funds will be presented at North Wootton Village Hall on February 19th, when medals will also be presented to all the children who took part.

West Norfolk Autism Group

Ken Banks, who headed up the event at King’s Lynn, paid a special thank you to the pool staff from Alive Leisure, and to all the volunteers, “It was a fantastic day with a great atmosphere of fun and enthusiasm from all who took part. 

"At the end of the day, the amounts raised for charity were well beyond our expectations, making the whole event incredibly worthwhile.”

Next year’s events will be on Saturday February 6th.

All images Ian Burt