Duncan Goodhew urges families to get their goggles on for Swimathon 2024 ahead of summer Olympics

Duncan Goodhew urges families to get their goggles on for Swimathon 2024 ahead of summer Olympics.

• Swimming rated as a top sport to participate in for a quarter of UK adults (25%) and almost half (47%) of under 16s
• 72% of UK adults agree swimming improves mental wellbeing
• 45% of UK parents/guardians agree swimming as a family has brought them closer together
• Sign up for Swimathon 2024 by heading to www.swimathon.org/enter-now
Former Olympic swimmer Duncan Goodhew MBE is encouraging the nation to dive into Swimathon 2024 to have fun, improve their fitness, and raise money for charity partners Marie Curie and Cancer Research UK.

A new survey or, "Swim-Census", commissioned by the end of life charity Marie Curie and Cancer Research UK has found that a quarter of UK adults rate swimming as one of their favourite sports to participate in (25%), with 72% agreeing that swimming improves mental wellbeing.

Amongst children, almost half (47%) of under 16s say it's one of their favourite participation sports, beaten only by football (50%).

Almost half (49%) of parents/guardians consider swimming one of their favourite ways to spend time with their kids and 45% agree that swimming as a family has brought them closer together.

Swimathon is the world's largest annual fundraising swim. Over 400 UK pools are involved in the iconic challenge which takes place in April 2024. Participants can choose to swim between 400m and 5k, all whilst raising vital funds for Swimathon's charity partners.

Marie Curie is the UK's leading end of life charity, providing essential nursing and hospice care for people with any illness they are likely to die from and a free support line.

Cancer Research UK supports research into the prevention and treatment of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses. The charity is working towards a world where people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.

Ahead of the summer 2024 Olympics, Olympic swimmer and Swimathon President Duncan Goodhew MBE says:

"Swimathon is the perfect challenge for families to do together because you can choose from a range of different distances. There really is something for everybody, whatever your age or ability. Swimming is great not only for physical, but also for mental wellbeing, and participants will also be raising vital funds for Swimathon charity partners Marie Curie and Cancer Research UK."

According to the research, around two fifths (41%) of people want to swim more, but pool access in their local area is limited.

With community pools at risk of closure due to rising energy costs, Swimathon hopes to boost numbers in local pools in April with thousands taking to the water all over the UK, swimming distances of 400m, 1.5k, 2.5k, 5k, or even the triple 5k, which is three sessions of 5k swims.

The challenge will take place between 26th – 28th April.

Marie Curie Healthcare Assistant and Swimathon participant Annie Wade said:
"This year I'm doing the triple 5k and this will be my fifth Swimathon.

"Being a Marie Curie Healthcare Assistant, I see firsthand just how important our work is. People's lives are changed because of the direct expert end of life care we provide, so the more money we can raise through Swimathon, the more patients and families we can support at home and our hospices.

"When I've been swimming, I feel a hundred times better both physically and mentally. It helps with the stress of my job.

"I'd encourage anyone to do Swimathon. I always feel amazing after I've done it. It's such a fun challenge and it brings people together because everyone is there for a good cause."

Gareth Mulcahy, Head of Events and Sports at Cancer Research UK, said:

"Swimathon is such a fun and simple way to encourage people to dip their toe in the water and get swimming. It really doesn't matter if you're not the fittest or the fastest, because there's no greater motivation for taking part than helping to support causes that are close to the hearts of so many.

"Nearly one in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime* but, through challenges like Swimathon, all of us can help support vital research. That's why we're urging swimmers to grab their caps and costumes, raise money and help us to keep making new discoveries and breakthroughs. Together, we are beating cancer."

-ENDS-
Swimathon is the world's largest annual fundraising swim. With over 400 pools involved in the iconic challenge in 2024, participants can choose to swim 400m, 1.5k, 2.5k, 5k, or any other distance as part of MySwimathon. Simply, pick your date, pick your venue and start that journey to the pool! Swimathon encourages people of all ages and abilities to take part and have fun, all whilst raising money for Swimathon charity partners Marie Curie and Cancer Research UK and supporting local pools. Entries are now open, with more info available here: https://www.swimathon.org/

Notes to editor:
For further information please contact Sophie.dowdell@mariecurie.org.uk or contact the Marie Curie Press Office: media@mariecurie.org.uk / 0845 073 8699.

Please note, Marie Curie is not a cancer charity but the UK's leading 'end of life charity'. We care for people with - any illness they are likely to die from including Alzheimer's (and other forms of dementia), heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson's, and advanced cancer.

*cruk.org/lifetimerisk

About Marie Curie

• Marie Curie is the UK's leading end of life charity.
• The charity provides expert end of life care for people with any illness they are likely to die from, and support for their family and friends, in our hospices and where they live. It is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK, and campaigns to ensure everyone has a good end of life experience. Whatever the illness, we're with you to the end.
• If you're living with a terminal illness or have been affected by dying, death and bereavement, Marie Curie can help. Visit mariecurie.org.uk or call the free Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309.
Whatever the illness, wherever you are, Marie Curie is with you to the end.

About Cancer Research UK

• Cancer Research UK is the world's leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research, influence and information.
• Cancer Research UK's pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives.
• Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival in the UK double in the last 50 years.
• Today, 2 in 4 people survive their cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK wants to accelerate progress and see 3 in 4 people surviving their cancer by 2034.
• Cancer Research UK supports research into the prevention and treatment of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.
• Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK is working towards a world where people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.

For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

About the event:
• Swimathon is the UK's largest annual swimming fundraiser, which raises money for Cancer Research UK and the end-of-life charity Marie Curie.
• There's no greater motivation for taking part than helping to support causes that are close to the hearts of so many. So, organisers hope as many people as possible will sign up and make a splash for these two vital charities.
• Swimathon is taking place between 26th – 28th April at over 400 pools across the UK. People can find their nearest official Swimathon pool at swimathon.org/venues. Any swimmers that can't make one of the organised sessions can sign up to MySwimathon (19th April – 5th May) and choose a time and venue that suits them.
• With a variety of distances to choose from - from 400m up to 30.9k – Swimathon offers a challenge for people of ages and abilities, which they can complete either individually or as part of a team.
• People can sign up now and start raising money at swimathon.org/enter-now.

Methodology
The research was conducted by Opinion Matters among a sample of 3,208 UK adults aged 18+, weighted to be nationally representative on age, gender and region. The data was collected between 14.02.2024 - 19.02.2024. As well as research among a sample of 1,015 UK children under the age of 16. The data was collected between 14.02.2024 - 15.02. 2024.Opinion Matters abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct which is based on the ESOMAR principles and are members of The British Polling Council