SWIMMERS aged from ten to 60 made a splash for charity at Felixstowe – as they took the plunge in charity marathon.Around 30 swimmers from Felixstowe Leisure Centre took part in the Swimathon 2002 campaign to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

By Richard Cornwell

SWIMMERS aged from ten to 60 made a splash for charity at Felixstowe – as they took the plunge in charity marathon.

Around 30 swimmers from Felixstowe Leisure Centre took part in the Swimathon 2002 campaign to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

The intrepid swimmers – 14 individuals plus four teams, who swam in relay – completed demanding distances ranging from 1,500 metres to 5,000 metres.

Mark Wilson was the youngest who swam 1,500 metres in only 48 minutes and 29 seconds.

"I would like to thank all of those who took part in Swimathon 2002," said councillor. Maggy Steen, Suffolk Coastal cabinet member for culture and leisure.

"This year's participants have been fantastic and the swimmers have really trained hard to swim further than ever before. Hopefully their dedication will have paid off when their sponsorship money comes in."

Felixstowe Leisure Centre swimmers were among tens of thousands who participated in Swimathon 2002, in more than 500 pools across the UK, in an effort to raise £2 million for charity.

A total of 85 per cent of the cash raised will go to Macmillan Cancer Relief.

The charity funds specialist nurses and doctors, buildings for cancer treatment and care, and grants for people in financial difficulties – services which help make the lives of cancer patients and their families easier and reduce unnecessary levels of fear.

The remaining 15pc raised will go to the Swimathon Foundation, which will provide funding for smaller, local charities and non-profit organisations.