Swimarathon fundraisers make history (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)
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Swimarathon fundraisers make history
3:00pm Wednesday 10th October 2012 in News By James Tourgout
WATER CHALLENGE: Taking the plunge at Bridport Swimarathon
FUNDRAISERS smashed the records when they took the plunge at the Bridport Swimarathon.
The Tornadoes of South Dorset swimming team completed the most number of laps in the 19-year history of the Lions Club of Bridport event.
Organisers hope that the event at Bridport Leisure Centre on Sunday will have raised between £3,000 and £4,000.
President Don Morley said: “As always the atmosphere was very motivating for those taking part.
“There were enthusiastic crowds with great support from parents of children and friends of those there. We had a record broken which was brilliant and fits in well with our successful Olympic year.”
He added: “The money is still coming but we hope to have about £3,000 to £4,000.
“The swimarathon is our biggest fundraiser of the year.
“Our thanks go to everyone for all of their support.”
The Tornadoes swam 111 laps – a lap is two lengths of the pool – to beat the previous record of 106 laps held by Bridport Barracudas. In total 1032 laps were swum by 17 teams.
The Black Pearl Team from Bothenhampton Brownies reached the highest laps in the mixed group at 57.
The highest laps to juniors went to Animal Rescue from Bridport Barracudas at 78.
Bridport Lions wanted to thank Andrew Fowkes, of Bridec Melamine Boards Ltd, the main sponsor, all the swimmers, their supporters and lane sponsors, without whom the event could not have gone ahead.
Lane sponsors included A J Wakely & Sons, Amsafe Bridport, Beaminster Pharmacy, Boilerman Ltd, Bridge House Hotel, Bridport Lighting Centre Ltd, Country Seats, Dorset Kitchens, Eypes Mouth Country Hotel, Fowler Construction Ltd, Freshwater Beach Holiday Park, Hair by David, Heavers of Bridport, Lanehouse Vauxall, Leaker’s Bakery, Lidl UK, Long's Fish & Chip Restaurant, Mystic Signs, Nick Tett Butchers Ltd, the Avenue Restaurant, Peach Electrical, Smith & Smith Outfitters, Strummer Pink and West Dorset Leisure Holidays.
Raffle sponsors included Arts & Crafts, Broadwindsor Craft Centre, Gemma’s Flowers, Good News Newsagent, Fruit N’ Veg-Beaminster, Jaxsons Delli & Gift Store, Rawles, Samways, Travis Perkins, Steptoes, Waitrose and Wessex Wines.
