"A Sponsored Swim"
Wentworth Leisure Centre – Sunday 23rd November 2008
The new main pool at Wentworth Leisure Centre was taken over for the day to host a successful ‘Big Splash’ Swimming Charity Event, involving the local community to participate and to raise funds to be distributed back into deserving causes within the district of Tynedale. Sponsorship to run the event was generously provided by Waitrose and Northumbria Water.
The ‘Big Splash’ was organised and run by the Rotary Club of Hexham. 46 Rotarians and their partners turned out to act as stewards, receptionists, administrators, PA announcers, timekeepers, lane counters, team assistants, team photographers and poolside attendants.
The staff at Wentworth Leisure Centre, who operate as North Country Leisure Ltd, did an excellent job providing superb support and cooperation not only on the day but in all the preparation for the occasion which ensured the smooth running of the day.
Teams were invited to enter and a broad cross-section of the local community took part. Thirty teams were entered, from Team Tynedale Amateur Swimming Club, SAKS hairdressers, Corbridge MENCAP, Army Cadet Force, Marks & Spencer's, Hexham Abbey Bell Ringers, Hexham Youth Initiative, Hexham Morris, Hexham Rotary Club, several other businesses and families. On completion of each hourly session, all swimmers were presented with a ‘Big Splash’ T Shirt to commemorate their achievement, a complementary bottle of water from Northumbria Water.
A total of 4767 lengths of 25 metres were swum, the equivalent to 119 kilometres or 74 miles. The Tynedale Mix Up team swam the most lengths - 243.
Each team is now collecting their sponsorship money, which is to be handed into Wentworth Leisure Centre by 20th December, and has been invited to nominate where they would prefer the sponsorship money to go. This could to be to a deserving individual or a recognised local charity or self help group within Tynedale. The ‘Big Splash’ committee will consider all the suggestions.
An evening function is to be arranged at Wentworth, inviting all teams to attend the presentation of the sponsorship money to nominated causes. Prizes will be awarded to teams raising the most sponsorship money and to those swimming the most lengths. All team leaders will be advised of the date.
