Yearsley Swimming Pool’s Swimathon challenge raises more than £2700.00 for charities

Figures confirm that Yearsley Swimming Pool, which is managed by the UK's foremost leisure charitable social enterprise GLL, hosted 66 fundraising challenges for Swimathon 2026, raising a record £2,700.00 for charities.

Individuals swam a variety of distances - 500m, 1.5k, 2.5k, Swimathon 5k and Triple 5k distances - with teams choosing 1.5k, 2.5k and 5k challenges.

A local family, made up of 5 members came together to form ‘Team Ben’ to fulfil Ben's lifetime ambition and dream of earning a medal. Ben’s brother Alex and their cousins Helen, Oscar and William took part along with Ben who has cerebral palsy, learning difficulties and is deaf, to support him to achieve the 5km challenge.

Ben, who’s aspiration is to become a lifeguard in Greece, explained: “Swimming is my favourite sport, particularly breaststroke.”

The team split the 5km distance between themselves and Ben completed the challenge with the final 10 lengths.

Up until three months ago, Rog Bannister from Heworth Green, hadn’t swum for 40-years. Ahead of the 40th anniversary of Swimathon, he decided to take the plunge and has been attending Adult Swimming Lessons at Yearsley Swimming Pool and York Leisure Centre which has helped to improve his stroke technique and general fitness. Roger completed a 500m challenge.

Roger explained: “I used to be quite fit, but life took over and I stopped doing any form of exercise. Two years ago, I had put on a lot of weight and wanted to do something about it, so I started swimming again. I saw Swim Doctor advertised and wanted to improve my stamina and technique particularly on front crawl, so I started having lessons. After regular attendance both at Yearsley and York Stadium, I now feel much fitter and really. The teachers have been brilliant and are really helpful.”

Natalie Thomas, GLL’s Community Sports Manager at York, said: "Huge congratulations to all our charity fundraisers in Swimathon's 40th year. The world's largest charitable funder of cancer research - Cancer Research UK - and the UK's leading end of life charity - Marie Curie - as well as Swimathon Foundation directly benefit from our fundraisers' efforts.

"Swimathon brought people back to the pool in their droves to rediscover their love of swimming."

Swimathon President Duncan Goodhew added: "Thanks to GLL and all our pool operator hosts for supporting their community swimmers young and old to raise much-needed funds for Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie during Swimathon 2026.

"In our 40th anniversary year, Swimathon more than ever exemplifies the collective positive energy of the UK's swimming community and the benefits swimming brings."