TEAM GB swimming heroes Mark Foster and Duncan Goodhew are encouraging people around Bridgwater to sign up to Swimathon, the world’s biggest annual fundraising swim, to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie.

Taking place from Friday, March 29 to 31, people of all ages and abilities are encouraged to sign up to take part in the annual swimming fundraising event at Bridgwater’s Trinity Sport and Leisure centre.

If the registered pool is too far away swimmers can take part at a time and place to suit them with MySwimathon.

Foster, the former World, European and Commonwealth champion, who set eight world records during a glittering career, is supporting the campaign, alongside Olympic gold medalist Duncan Goodhew, Swimathon president.

Speaking at the launch of Swimathon 2019, Mark Foster said: “I’m very proud to be supporting Swimathon 2019 and I hope everyone looking to set themselves a challenge signs up. Whether you’re just learning or are an experienced swimmer already, there’s a challenge for you.

“Swimming is fantastic for your health and wellbeing as it helps to keep fit.

"As you train, you build stamina and speed, and as it’s a low impact sport, the chances of injury are low while also good for recovery if you’re coming back from injury.”

Duncan Goodhew, Olympic gold medalist and president of Swimathon, said: “It has been a real joy to see Swimathon develop and mature into the great event it is today.

"Swimathon gives everyone a chance to get active with friends and family, while doing some good at the same time. I am so proud that Swimathon gives so many people the chance to enjoy the water, get swimming and set themselves a challenge.”

Designed intentionally so people of all swimming abilities can participate, there are a variety of distances available as individual challenges - 400m, 1.5k, 2.5k, 5k – while the 1.5k and 5k distances are also available as team challenges for family, friends or colleagues to take on.

New to 2019 is the Triple 5k challenge, which is specifically designed to test experienced swimmers, challenging them to swim 5k, three times. Swimmers can choose the sessions and venues where they take on the three-part challenge.

Last year, Swimathon raised £2.1million, Since it started 33 years ago, more than 700,000 swimmers have dived into 1,000 different pools across the UK, raising more than £50million for different charities.

For more information and to sign up now, visit www.Swimathon.org