Soroptomist awards for top swimmers

Last October nearly 150 swimmers plunged into Warwick School’s pool to take part in the 14th annual Soroptomist Swimathon and raised lots of money for charity in the process.

On Tuesday evening the fundraisers who really stood out from the crowd were awarded at the Episode Hotel in Leamington, with participants raising £8,000 for Warwickshire Air Ambulance and Myton Hospice.

This year 138 swimmers in 25 teams took part, swimming a grand total of 1,445 laps.

President of the Leamington and Warwick Soroptomists June James said: “We would like to congratulate and thank the teams for making the event such a success. This year’s Swimathon has raised £8,000 - this is a great result, thanks to all the teams who raised money so energetically.”

The team Enigma from National Grid scooped the Diamond Jubilee Trophy for raising the most money - £1,400 - while The Courier Cup was won by the Leamington Amateur Swimming Club’s two teams who both reached 89 laps.

Jo Payne of the Air Ambulance and Nigel Adams of Myton Hospice were both on hand to receive cheques from the Soroptomists, while the Rosebowl - awarded to the Soroptomist team raising the most money - was presented to the Leamington and Warwick Water Lillies team who raised £715.

The total money now raised for local charities over the 14 years of the Swimathon is now over £140,000.