Bob Smytherman

Worthing Aquarena JOINS THE STARS

IN THE WORLD’S BIGGEST SWIM

Date: Saturday 17^th April 2010

Time: 18.30

Swimmers in Worthing will make a splash for charity on 17^th April 2010 as they complete the Swimathon 2010 challenge at Worthing Aquarena helping to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care and The Swimathon Foundation. Worthing Aquarena is one of over 500 pools taking part nationwide in Swimathon 2010.

Zöe Salmon and Duncan Goodhew were the first of 15,000 people to dive in the pool for Swimathon 2010 at the national launch. This year, Swimathon is looking to exceed the £1.5m it raised for Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Swimathon Foundation in 2009 - by encouraging everyone in the UK to get in the pool for the world’s biggest swim.

Zöe comments: “I’ve always found swimming a really good way to keep in shape. Everyone needs a challenge now and again, especially to keep motivated during the cold winter months. And what better additional spur than to help out Marie Curie Cancer Care - a charity that does such crucial work right around the UK? I can’t wait to take part.”

Duncan comments: “Swimathon is incredibly exciting. It enables normal people to do extraordinary things. Everyone’s challenge is very much their own - but not only do their efforts benefit themselves, they benefit their country and the charities.”

Neil Matthews, manager of the Aquarena says: “It’s going to be fantastic to see so many people from our community taking part and fundraising for Marie Curie Cancer Care, to enable terminally ill patients to have the best possible end of life care.”

Swimathon 2010 has a challenge to suit everyone with swimmers challenging themselves to complete up to 5K as an individual or as a team with their friends and family. To find out more about Swimathon or to sponsor a swimmer, go to: www.swimathon.org

Marie Curie Cancer Care is one of the UK’s largest charities. Employing more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, it expects to provide care to around 29,000 terminally ill patients in the community and in its hospices this year and is the largest provider of hospice beds outside the NHS.

To get help from the Marie Curie Nursing Service, talk to your GP, district nurse or discharge nurse. For more information about Marie Curie Cancer Care, please visit http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/

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For more information, contact: Michelle Chittenden

Worthing Aquarena on 01903 231797 or michelle.chittenden@worthing.gov.uk

Notes to Editors

1.      70% of funds raised by participants in the 2010 national Swimathon will be used by Marie Curie Cancer Care - see (www.mariecurie.org.uk). The remaining 30% will be used by The Swimathon Foundation - see (www.swimathonfoundation.org).

2.      Marie Curie Cancer Care is one of the UK’s largest charities.

·       Employing more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, it expects to provide care to around 29,000 terminally ill patients in the community and in its hospices this year and is the largest provider of hospice beds outside the NHS.

·       Funding: Around 70 per cent of the charity’s income comes from the generous support of thousands of individuals, membership organisations and businesses, with the balance of our funds coming from the NHS.

·       Marie Curie Nurses: The charity is best known for its network of Marie Curie Nurses working in the community to provide end-of-life care, totally free for patients in their own homes.

·       Supporting the choice to die at home: Research shows around 65 per cent of people would like to die at home if they had a terminal illness, with a sizeable minority opting for hospice care. However, more than 50 per cent of cancer deaths still occur in hospital, the place people say they would least like to be. Since 2004 Marie Curie Cancer Care has been campaigning for more patients to be able to make the choice to be cared for and die at home.

3.      The Swimathon Foundation, a company limited by guarantee, is the independent registered charity which owns the annual national Swimathon event.

·       The Swimathon Foundation through its trading subsidiary arranges the staging and promotion of the Swimathon event in a nationwide network of participating swimming pools, to encourage members of the public, whatever their age or ability, to understand and realise the benefits of regular swimming as a means to improve health and wellbeing and to achieve personal fitness goals.

·       The Swimathon Foundation selects a National Charity Partner to promote itself and its charitable activities in association with the Swimathon and to receive Funds from members of the public, including those participating in the Swimathon, in support of its activities. For the 2010 Swimathon the selected Charity is Marie Curie Cancer Care.

·       In addition, The Swimathon Foundation aims to support local communities in their efforts to promote the benefits of physical activity, particularly through swimming.

4.      Zöe Salmon has always demonstrated sporting prowess and versatility: throughout her four years as a Blue Peter presenter, by reaching the quarter finals of ITV’s Dancing on Ice in 2009, by running the London Marathon in 2006 - and placing 20^th in FHM’s 2009 Top 100 Sexiest Women poll.

5.      Duncan Goodhew is one of Britain’s most instantly recognisable sportsmen. His many achievements in the pool culminated in a last-gasp Gold in the 100m breaststroke at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Duncan was awarded an MBE for services to sport in 1981 and is now an author, motivational speaker and President of Swimathon.

6.      The 50% discount applies to Swimathon Distance Challenge entry fees paid online or telephone between 4 January and 31 January 2010 only.