Swimmers leisure centres have raised over £3,000 for charities in Reading
Participants took to the lanes in Palmer Park, Rivermead, and Meadway in aid of Cancer Research UK, Marie Curie, and the Swimathon Foundation as part of the 2026 Swimathon event.
In total, Reading participants raised £3284.50, as individuals swam a variety of distances – 500m, 1.5k, 2.5k, Swimathon 5k and Triple 5k distances – with teams choosing 1.5k, 2.5k and 5k challenges.
It was part of a nationwide effort which also saw GLL hosting 1,362 fundraising challenges in 87 of its managed pools, significantly surpassing the tally of 1,054 set last year.
A record of £141,000 was raised across the UK.
Craig Woodward, GLL Partnership Manager for Reading, said: “Congratulations to all our charity fundraisers.
“With 1362 taking part nationally, Swimathon 2026 is the biggest challenge of its kind to be hosted in GLL pools, and I’m delighted that three in Reading were involved in such a fantastic cause.”
Swimathon President Duncan Goodhew, who is celebrating 50 years since becoming an Olympian, said: “Thanks to GLL and all our pool operator hosts for supporting their community swimmers young and old to raise much-needed funds for Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie during Swimathon 2026.
“In our 40th anniversary year, Swimathon more than ever exemplifies the collective positive energy of the UK’s swimming community, and the benefits swimming brings.”
