SwimFest is an annual fund raising event that takes place at Lutterworth Sports
Centre each November with all proceeds being distributed to charities and good
causes. The organisation of the event is carried out by members of of
Lutterworth Wycliffe Rotary Club. Teams comprise up to six swimmers who raise
funds from their sponsors and on the day, the team swims for 55 minutes (one
person in the water at any one time). Stewards record the number of lengths swum
and certificates of achievement are awarded to each team with the winning team
being awarded a prize. The event is designed to appeal to swimmers of all ages
and abilities with the accent being placed on fun and not on athletic ability.
In the four years that the event has been operating, over £15,000 has been
generated by swimmers and their sponsors that has been distributed to a number
of charities and good causes. These include: Lutterworth Hospital, Birkett House
Special School, Leicestershire Life Education Trust, McMillan Cancer Support,
Rainbows Children’s Hospice and Guide Dogs for the Blind. In addition, local
organisations such as Scouts have been supported and some of the funding enables
our Rotary Club to enhance the practical skills, life experiences and
opportunities of young people in our local community.
This year, SwimFest takes place on Saturday 15th November at
Lutterworth Sports Centre and families, friends, work colleagues, schools and
members of community groups are encouraged to enter teams. Slots in the
programme are available to community groups such as sports clubs who wish to
raise funds for their own purposes whilst making a contribution to the event’s
designated charities.
Our main aim in 2008 is to raise funds for:
The Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance Service
that is based at East Midlands Airport. A new helicopter was purchased in 2007
that is manned by a doctor and paramedics and which operates for 7 days per
week. The service is used extensively where serious injuries or medical
conditions mean that time is of the essence in the early treatment and conveying
the patient to a hospital. Operational costs amount to £1.3 million per year and
with no government or NHS funding available, the service relies on charitable
donations to survive.
Cancer Research
is the leading UK charity dedicated to researching the causes of a wide variety
of cancers that affect the human body and to develop treatments that alleviate
and cure this widespread disease. Massive progress has been made in some areas
of the charity’s work, but funds are constantly needed to advance medical
knowledge.
In addition to the above, we will continue to support Leicestershire Life
Education Trust that educates primary school children about the dangers of
taking drugs and other harmful substances. Rotary charities will also be
supported.
SwimFest could not take place without the generous support of our sponsors:
Hinckley and Rugby Building Society, The Greyhound Coaching Hotel and Serco
Leisure, Managers of Lutterworth Sports Centre.
Further information and entry forms can be obtained from Tony Baxter
01455-553318,
tonybaxter61@aol.com or John Cookson
rotary1070@aol.com,
Alternatively, these can be downloaded from this site.
Click Here
