BEGINNERS and regular swimmers are being urged to take a dip in aid of Prospect Hospice.

A swimathon, organised by the Swindon North Rotary Club, will see teams of four cover as many lengths as possible in 55 minutes for the Wroughton charity and in support of the Adver’s 160 Appeal on Saturday, April 26.

Half of all the funds raised will be handed to the hospice. The rest will go to swimmers’ selected charities.

Organisers have set the bar high for challengers with a target of around £2,500 for Prospect alone.

Ken Winslow, from the Rotary club, insisted the relay-style swimathon was not a race but a relaxed and enjoyable challenge.

“It’s neither a race nor a marathon – each team will swim for 55 minutes – just one member at a time,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how fast or how fit you are, everyone can take part, as long as you complete as many lengths as you can.

“Everyone will receive a medal and certificate to verify the number of lengths swum.

“The Rotary club will distribute the sponsorship money 50/50 to Prospect Hospice and the team’s chosen charity.

“This is our effort to help Prospect Hospice.”

He added: “This is our second swimathon. We did one last year as a trial and it went OK.

“Now we are hoping to get around 24 teams. But we could probably take more.”

The swimathon will start at noon at the Next Generation Fitness Centre.

Entry and sponsorship forms can be downloaded from rotaryswindonnorth.org.uk