This is a first...the fundraising aspect that is. I have done a number of challenge events such as the British Gas Great North Swim, cycling solo from Lands End to John O'Groats and walking Wainwright's Coast to Coast Path (see future posts) but chose not to fundraise. Why? I felt that if someone wants to donate they would do so without my intervention. I do these events for a challenge, for fitness and for enjoyment. Charity events are supposed to be something you don't want to do. Aren't they? So I found it a little awkward to ask people to donate their hard earned money for something I actually wanted to do. Maybe I am missing the point though, which is to persuade people to part with money they may not want to part with.
From a personal point of view, this event will also give me something to aim for and focus on whilst training for this year's triathlon season and other planned open water events such as the Great North Swim. I hope to make significant improvements in my swimming and am working hard in the pool to achieve this.
So I have decided to enter Swimathon Weekend taking place 27-29 April at various locations nationally.
Swimathon is a mass participation distance swimming event, swimmers able to choose from 5km, 2.5km or a team 5km challenges. WHY NOT GIVE IT A GO AS WELL.
Some more information about the event (straight copy from the website)...
Swimathon is the world's biggest fundraising swim
Swimathon started in 1986 and since then more than half a million swimmers have taken part, raising over £36 million for charity.
"Swimathon provides motivation and a personal challenge to swimmers nationwide. It also offers a goal to train for, a target to achieve and a great cause to support.” Duncan Goodhew, Olympic gold medallist and Swimathon President.
Swimathon, the world’s biggest fundraising swim is getting even bigger in 2012, joining forces with British Swimming and BBC’s Big Splash, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Sport Relief.
I am set to swim the full 5km distance at Copley in the afternoon of Saturday 28th April. I have entered into the spirit of the fundraising aim of the event. Marie Curie is a high profile force for good and I hope that in completing this swimming event I can contribution. 5km will involve swimming 200 lengths which must be worth a few quid of everyone reading this. Please use the link below which will take you to my fundraising page.
http://my.artezglobal.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=368681&langPref=en-CA
