Co-operatives UK member to host over 1,000 fundraising challenges during Swimathon 2025
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GLL, the UK’s largest provider of public swimming pools, is helping thousands of swimmers take on Swimathon 2025, raising funds for Cancer Research UK, Marie Curie, and the Swimathon Foundation.
GLL - a leading co-operative and social enterprise - is making waves for good causes by hosting over 1,000 Swimathon 2025 challenges across its 'Better' pools from today (28 March) to 30 March (2025). The Co-operatives UK partner member is bringing communities together to raise funds for Cancer Research UK, Marie Curie, and the Swimathon Foundation.
Participants can choose to swim 400m or Triple 5k and they can swim as individuals or part of a team. GLL has been supporting Swimathon over the years in its 'Better' branded pools. It is the largest provider of public swimming pools in the UK (140 pools and nine lidos) including the iconic Manchester Aquatic Centre, West Reservoir and London Fields Lido - and the biggest provider of swimming lessons - teaching 200,000 people a week.
Customers preparing for Swimathon 2025 were invited to a special training tips webinar hosted by Olympic Gold Medallist swimming legend Duncan Goodhew - with inspiring words boosting the number of take-ups even further.
Swimmers young and old have been flocking to GLL's 'Better' pools to train for their individual and team challenges. Among them are Leo Garnett, aged eight. and his mum Anna, who train at Charlton Lido in Greenwich.
Anna said:. "Leo's been swimming since he was 3 months old. We used to live in Gibraltar and everyone had a pool, I was so scared of him not knowing how to swim. He swims in the school squad and also trains with Dulwich Dolphins. I swim to challenge myself firstly but realised I could also raise money for Cancer Research - the disease has affected family friends. We are stepping up and will both do 5km this year and Swimathon believe Leo is the youngest swimmer attempting this distance."
Swimathon Foundation is a registered charity working with charitable, facility, national operators and governing body partners to promote the health, wellbeing and life skills that swimming can provide. It also owns the Marathon Swims and other Swimathon campaigns which offers the public the opportunity to swim and fundraise for charity.