The Malden Centre is once again named as a venue for the world’s biggest fundraising swim.

It’s that time of year again and - whether you’re a seasoned 'swimathonner' or if 2017 will be the first time you dip your toes in the water - there's still time to sign up for the UK’s 30th Swimathon, in aid of Marie Curie, the leading charity for people with any terminal illness.

The team at the Malden Centre has announced that the sessions for people wishing to take part this year will be held between 2.30-5.30pm and 6.00–9.00pm on Saturday 8th April.

As in previous years, the distances include 1.5k, 2k and 5k and swimmers will have the full 3 hours in which to complete their sponsored challenge General Manager of the Malden Centre, Nicola Moore, says; “We have a real heritage of helping to host fundraising events here at the Malden Centre – and the annual Swimathon has a special place on our calendar as well as in our hearts. It’s great to be part of such an important, nationwide initiative and every year we're always overwhelmed by how many local people sign up to take part and raise funds for Marie Curie.

So, as the clocks go forward and the evenings get longer, it's a great time to get into training now. Why not check out the pool times over the next few weeks to find out when you can come down to start clocking up those lengths in preparation for the big swim on April 8th.”

Details of the Swimathon 2017, how to get involved and how to organise sponsorship can be found at www.swimathon.org Olympic Gold Medallist and Swimathon President, Duncan Goodhew MBE also added some words of support and encouragement; “Swimathon provides motivation and a personal challenge to all levels of swimmer. It also offers a goal to train for, a target to achieve and a great cause to support.”

For more information about the Malden Centre visit http://www.placesforpeopleleisure.org/centres/malden-centre or call 020 8336 7770

Submitted by Jo Hudson