THE ROTARY CLUB OF BEDFORD

SWIMATHON 2008

Here is your chance to enjoy some pleasurable exercise while doing something that will help local people in and around Bedford.

On Saturday 15th March 2008 at Bedford School swimming pool, teams of local relay swimmers will attempt to swim in total more than 50 miles in a day, raising money for charity as they do. Anyone who can swim a length of a 25m pool - young or not-so-young, sporty or armchair supporter - is welcome to join in.

The event is the annual SWIMATHON run by The Rotary Club of Bedford. A team will consist of up to six people, with each team swimming in relay for 50 minutes. Every swimmer taking part will receive a commemorative tee-shirt, and there will be a prize for the most original team name.

This is a charity event, and the teams will be asked to seek sponsors who will fund them either by the number of lengths swum by the team, or for a total single amount on completion of the 50 minute stint. On average, past teams have swum about 90 lengths in the time available. The money raised will be divided equally between The Rotary Club of Bedford's charity fund and a registered charity of the team's choice, if they so choose. There is no charge for entry. All money raised goes to charity, as all costs are being met by Rotary and all services are provided free by Rotarians.

Some people think that Rotary is merely a social club whose members meet for lunch. Not so. 13 year old Steven, who has severe autism and whose state-of-the-art wheelchair was provided by Rotary, doesn't think so. 20 year old Ruth doesn't think so either - she reckons that Rotary's outward-bound type Youth Leadership Training was a life-enriching experience which helped her achieve so much more in the workplace.. Neither does St John's Hospice fundraiser Paula, as Rotary's £23,000 cheque, raised in 2006 through the Barford Bypass Run, helped her to keep a vital local service running. A lot of people in Kashmir would also disagree for, in 2005, emergency winter shelter was provided for them through the Kashmir Earthquake Appeal spearheaded by the then Club Member, the late Michael Peters. This appeal directed the extraordinary generosity of Bedford people into funding enough "Shelter Boxes", (invented by a Rotarian), to provide shelter and basic facilities for over 1300 earthquake victims.

ENTER THE SWIMATHON NOW!

IT'S A FUN DAY.

For a joiner's pack, you can ENTER YOUR TEAM ONLINE, or DOWNLOAD AN ENTRY FORM FROM THIS SITE.

Or you can call Mike Gilbert on 01234 870077 or email him at gilberts@uk4dsl.co.uk

St John's Hospice Barford Bypass Run