WATER babies and senior swimmers can now sign up for a Swimathon organised by the Swindon North Rotary Club.

All ages of people are being urged to take part in the challenge to swim as many lengths as they can in 55 minutes and raise money for Prospect Hospice and a cause of their choice.

Ken Winslow, chairman of the group organising the Swimathon, said: “People can raise money for the charity of their choice and people can do it either as individuals or as a group of friends.

“They also don’t have to worry about anything. We can collect all the money [from swimmers] and distribute it, 50 per cent to Prospect Hospice and 50 per cent to the charity of their choice. It doesn’t matter how fast or how fit you are, everyone can take part, as long as you complete as many lengths as you can, one at a time, for 55 minutes.”

The Swimathon starts at noon on April 26, at the Next Generation Fitness Centre. People can enter as individuals or in teams of up to four.

The Rotary Club wants workplaces to enter teams, as well as Scouts, friends, family members and societies.

Each team member will be awarded a certificate, to verify how many lengths of the pool they swam.

Entry and sponsorship forms can be downloaded from the Rotary website at www.rotaryswindonnorth.org.uk. Participants are responsible for collecting sponsorship money.