Four thousand Islanders in 165 teams are due to take to the pool at Les Quennevais this week – the highest number of groups the event’s organisers have ever seen.
Peter Tabb, publicity officer for the Lions Club, which has organised the event since its inception in 1972, said: ‘At the first event we raised £5,000 and recognised that it might be worth doing again, and we raised double that the following year. It just snowballed from there. This year we have the highest number of teams ever participating, up to 165 which is 25 more than previously.
‘We are supporting five youth-orientated charities this year, which I think has helped a lot.’
Mr Bailhache said that it was a great honour to be involved. ‘The Swimarathon has been going for 46 years now, which is a tremendous commitment, and I am absolutely delighted to be a part of it. It’s all about doing something for the community – it’s just the Jersey way,’ he added.
Full report and more pictures in Thursday’s JEP.
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