Support local volunteers by swimming against loneliness
Chesterfield residents are being encouraged to sign up for a sponsored swim that aims to raise money for the Chesterfield Volunteer Centre’s befriending service.
The swimathon, called Swim Against Loneliness, will be held at Queen’s Park Sports Centre on Saturday 6 June 2020 and is open to anyone who wants to take part, providing they meet the minimum sponsorship requirement.
Participants are being asked to get sponsorship of at least £20 to take part in the event, but by raising this minimum amount there will be no charge for entry.
Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “I’m proud that we are able to support this event to help raise much needed funds for the befriending service.
“I hope lots of people will take part and that many more will come down to the centre and support the swimmers. Whether you swim for fun, attend swimming classes or are an experienced swimmer, the swimathon is open to everyone.”
Children who take part in swimming classes at either Queen’s Park Sports Centre or the Healthy Living Centre can use the swimathon to help in their work towards their distance badges.
Swimmers can select how many lengths they wish to swim, with the number ranging from 10 to 100 but special allowances can be made for those who wish to swim more or fewer lengths than this.
David Radford, the manager of The Volunteer Centre, said: “The Elderfriends project has been going for about 20 years now and over that time the issues we face around loneliness and social isolation have become greater, we hope this swimathon will help us raise awareness of the project and help us raise money to further expand these much needed services.
“We have a big waiting list for people who need our services, so anyone interested in giving their time to support this project, should contact us directly.”
You can find out more about the swimathon, register for your place and download a sponsorship form here: www.swimagainstloneliness.online/ or for more details info@chesterfieldvc.org.uk
The befriending service is run by Chesterfield Volunteer Centre and is completely free. The service provides company for elderly people, to help tackle loneliness and the many problems that are associated with it.
Find out more about the Chesterfield Volunteer Centre and the services it provides here: www.chesterfieldvc.online
