Bracknell

Bracknell Forest residents are being challenged to dive in and take the challenge of Swimathon 2007.

Participants can take part in one of the long distance challenges and raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care on March 24 at Bracknell Leisure Centre.

Organisers are hoping to attract more than 20,000 swimmers in 600 swimming pools across the country and raise £1.5million for the charity and the Swimathon Foundation.

Volunteers can set their own choice of distance ranging from five kilometres - which requires six weeks of training; two-and-a-half kilometres for intermediate swimmers and one-and-a-half kilometres for occasional swimmers.

If participants want to team up with colleagues, friends and family, the five kilometre Bracknell challenge can be completed in a team of up to five people; or just take part in the Simply Swim challenge - where you can cover any distance at any pool at any time.

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Leisure and Corporate Services, said: "Bracknell Forest residents have supported the Swimathon and its charities for many years, and Marie Curie Cancer Care is a very worthy cause.

"This could be the perfect challenge if you resolved to get fit and go swimming this New Year.”

To register, visit www.swimathon.org or call 0845 36 700 36. Standard registration is £8.50 or £4.50 for concessions.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council