Jump in at the deep end for Sport Relief!

16th March 2016

Sheffield has been chosen as one of only six cities to host a special Swimathon as part of the UK's biggest fundraising sporting extravaganza.

Swimmers are invited to take part in the Sheffield Flagship Swimathon, which is being held at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre on Sunday 20 March in aid of Sainsbury's Sport Relief. During the Ponds Forge Swimathon, fundraisers can choose to swim 1.5km, 2.5km and 5km and can take on the challenge individually or as part of a team of between two and five people, dividing the distance between members. The event is part of the Sport Relief Flagship Games, which are being held in Sheffield, Norwich, London, Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast, and will see participants get together in each city to run, swim and cycle in aid of charity. The Sheffield cycle route will see participants head through the Winter Garden, Peace Gardens and Millennium Square, while the mile-long run departs from Barker's Pool and takes in Devonshire Green as it circles back towards the city. Richard Apps, general manager at Ponds Forge, which is run by SIV, said: -We are really excited to have been chosen as the location of the Sport Relief Flagship Swimathon, which is one of only six in the UK. -At SIV, we are committed to getting people more active, more often, and what better way to encourage people to take to the pool than by raising money for a fantastic cause like Sport Relief. We are looking forward to seeing people of all ages and abilities take part and help to change people's lives through the funds raised. The Sport Relief Swimathon follows the recent fundraising efforts of Radio One's Greg James. Greg took to the pool at Ponds Forge as part of his 'Gregathlon' challenge, which saw him raise more than £1 million for Sport Relief by completing five triathlons in five days. Sport Relief sees people take on sporting challenges to raise money, with 50 per cent of funds going towards charities here in the UK and the other 50 per cent helping to transform the lives of people living in the world's poorest communities. Those wanting to get involved in Sport Relief who aren't able to attend on 20 March can take part in the SimplySwim challenge at any time between 9 and 20 March by swimming one of the Swimathon set challenges at a time that suits them. For more information about the Sport Relief Flagship Swimathon at Ponds Forge, visit www.sportrelief.com or call 0114 2233 400.