SWIMMERS in Malvern and Worcester are being urged to head for their local pools to help fund Marie Curie, the UK’s leading charity for people living with a terminal illness and their families.

Worcester's new £10.5 million pool at Perdiswell, and the Splash, at Priory Road, Malvern, are among the venues hosting the Marie Curie Swimathon.

The event will take place across the weekend of April 7-9 and is extra special this year as Swimathon will be celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Swimathon began in 1986 as a pilot programme for swimmers in London only. Since the launch of the annual event in 1988, nearly 700,000 participants have taken part and raised £46 million for 36 different charities.

Swimmers can challenge themselves to the 5k, 2.5k or 1.5k Individual or Team 5k or 1.5k distances and raise funds for Marie Curie.

Olympic gold medalist Duncan Goodhew and the sporting soprano Laura Wright are calling on people of all ages to take to the water.

Duncan Goodhew, who is also Swimathon president, said: “For the last 29 years it has been a real joy to see Swimathon develop and mature into the great event it is today. Nowadays there are thousands of well-organised sports participation events but that wasn’t the case in 1988 when we launched the annual event. Swimathon really was ahead of its time giving people a chance to get active and do some good at the same time. I am so proud of both Swimathon’s longevity and its legacy."

Laura Wright said: “I am so moved by the incredible work that Marie Curie carries out for people affected by terminal illness. We have all experienced the difficulty of losing a loved one or knowing we’re going to lose a loved one and Marie Curie is a real support system during this traumatic time. I hope that Swimathon will help in raising record amounts this year to help Marie Curie continue supporting and caring for people who need it most.”

For further information including how to sign up, contact Swimathon.org or 0121 703 3712.