MORE teams for this year s Sidmouth Rotary Swimathon in October are needed to raise thousands to help a school s expansion project

MORE teams for this year's Sidmouth Rotary Swimathon in October are needed to raise thousands to help a school's expansion project

Now in its third year, the Rotary Club of Sidmouth already has 15 teams lined up for the Swimathon at Sidmouth Swimming Pool on Saturday, October 17, from 5-10pm.

Organiser Nigel Sharp would like at least 25 teams on the night.

Money raised will support St Nicholas Junior School's �1.1 million expansion project, which head Paul Walker hopes will be scheduled to start in April 2011.

Mr Sharp said: "Last year we raised over �10,000 for Help for Heroes and the year before �4,000 raised bought a hearing aid loop system for Kennaway House and we gave money to the Hospice.

"This third year we hope to have more teams than ever, and we need more effort from everyone to raise teams."

He said more Sidmouth people would be taking part in the Swimathon, where sponsored teams of five or over swim as many lengths as possible in 55 minutes.

Nigel said he was delighted with the support from Sidmouth businesses and hoped more of the town's pubs would encourage customers to take part.

As a Church of England school, St Nicks will receive help funding the project to replace a temporary classroom and hut with a permanent building and replace a deteriorating '70s block with three new classrooms for up to 360 pupils.

The school has to raise 10 percent of the cost and, since launching its SN@100 appeal in April in its centenary year, has raised �15,000.

The school is putting up four Swimathon teams, one each from staff, governors, parents and pupils.

Others signed up include Devon County Council, church teams and Sidmouth Garden Centre, with its team James and the Giant Peaches.

"It is good fun and not a competition," stressed Nigel.

Rotary president Andy Webb added: "This is a brilliant opportunity to support such a worthwhile project and we are delighted to help St Nicholas Junior School."

Mr Walker said: "We are incredibly grateful to the Rotary Club. This will make an enormous difference to our fundraising. We are aiming to raise �100,000 and we only have 18 months to do it."

Sponsor forms will be at the school for people to sign and it is hoped entry forms will be at Sidmouth Information Centre and Sidmouth Library.

If you would like more information contact Nigel on (01395) 513168.