A trio of Sid Valley causes have been announced as the beneficiaries for this year’s Swimathon.

For the first time, the Rotary Club of Sidmouth has chosen to support the Friends of Sidholme Music Room and its free musical workshops for young people.

The group holds weekly sessions in the Music Room in piano and guitar and is looking to develop the programme.

Mukie Gosrani, who started the lessons, said: “Music is not at the top of the curriculum so a lot of children would not have access unless they can afford private lessons, We thought we would see if we could organise for workshops for children in the area.”

He said the Swimathon would help purchase instruments for the children to be able to take home and practice.

The total from the event will also be divided between the Admiral Nurse Appeal and Sidmouth Hospiscare.

Dr Gill Ryall, CEO of Sidmouth Hospiscare, thanked the Rotary club for choosing the charity for the second year running. She said: “As the only charity offering specialist palliative care to patients in the Sid Valley with life-limiting illnesses, and with the increasing need for our services, links like this with the community are so important for raising awareness of the services we can offer and for enabling us to continue to provide nursing and volunteer support to all patients, carers and families.”

Adrian Ford, trustee of the memory café, said: “We are delighted that the Rotary Club of Sidmouth, who are on of the co-founders of the memory café, have chosen our Admiral Nurse appeal again this year as one of the beneficiaries of the Swimathon.”

Last year, swimmers raised £7,500 for the Rotary’s chosen charities.

Rotarian Nigel Sharp said: “We still need to fund the Admiral Nurse in terms of making sure it has money in the back to secure the nurse. Sidmouth Hospiscare is such an important charity and we like to keep providing to it if we can.

“The Friends of Sidholme Music Room organise and run a wide range of musical concerts. They also organise a series of musical workshops for young people. Both concerts and workshops are open to all and free or charge. Funds are raised by subscription and donations.”

He added his hopes that businesses in the town would sign up for the swimathon to raise money for the causes.

The Swimathon will take place on Saturday, October 7, at Sidmouth Swimming Pool. To sign up, contact Nigel for more details by ringing 01395 513168 or emailing ns5@btinternet.com.