MORE than £4,000 was raised at the first ever swimathon organised by Sidmouth Rotary Club in September.

MORE than £4,000 was raised at the first ever swimathon organised by Sidmouth Rotary Club in September.Sixteen teams took part, with swimmers aged between four and 80+ sponsored to raise money for Kennaway House and Sidmouth Hospiscare.Now Rotarians have all the sponsorship money in, the club will be presenting a cheque to Kennaway House for £1,500 to acquire the deaf aid loop system in the ongoing refurbishment, and, after the cost of hiring Sidmouth Swimming Pool, some £2,334 will be given to Sidmouth Hospiscare.Nigel Sharp, a recent newcomer to the club, organised the swimathon and was so pleased with the support it received that another is planned for 2008.He said: "We will be looking for new businesses and organisations to take part. This is a fun event and a great team bonding exercise, with the objective of raising money for well chosen charities."In 2008, Sidmouth Rotary will organise an elite hour for five teams. They will have something of a record to beat. The pool's lifeguards, under the title Pool Bandits, swam 171 lengths in 55 minutes, so setting the benchmark for future events.Sid Valley Swimming Club managed 158 lengths and staff at Waitrose raised £244 by swimming 118 lengths. Sidmouth Rotary Club, swimming as Rotary Rockets, raised the most money through sponsorship, collecting £623. Other organisations taking part included the Commission for Social Care Inspection, Sidmouth Inner Wheel, Sidmouth Lions, Otter Valley Rotary Club, Sidmouth Garden Centre, Hair Loft, Sidmouth Hospiscare and Potburys.Any group of five people who think they can beat 171 lengths and wish to enter a team next year should contact Rotarian Nigel Sharp on (01395) 513168.