Lions Club of Jersey praises 'outstanding' 85k raised by Swimarathon participants

Picture: ROB CURRIE. (35400275)

ORGANISERS of the 2023 Swimarathon have praised participants for raising nearly £85,000 to help Islanders in need.

The five-day event – the Island’s biggest sporting fundraiser – took place at the Les Quennevais swimming pool from Wednesday to Sunday.

It saw participants swim a total of 23,314 laps and raise £84,469.40, which is £6,000 more than last year.

All of the money raised will be used to support Islanders in need, with the three main beneficiaries being the food banks operated by the Grace Trust, the Salvation Army and the Society of St Vincent de Paul.

Lions Club of Jersey chairman Andy Quinn described the result as ‘outstanding’.

‘This figure does not include the generous Ravenscroft sponsorship which means that every penny raised by the swimmers will be donated to the good causes in the Island.’

The event has raised £3.6 million over the past 50 years.

Haydn Taylor, managing director of sponsors Ravenscroft, said the Swimarathon was a ‘unique sporting event’.

‘There are thousands of participants ranging in age from pre-school children through to those in their 70s and 80s. Ravenscroft thanks everyone who swam but in particular praise the small group of volunteers who give up hours of their own time to make the event happen,’ he added.

– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –