BASINGSTOKE Lions Club is roaring out for people and companies to get involved in this year’s Swimathon.

The annual charity event looks to raise money for a variety of worthy causes in and around the Basingstoke area, with participants choosing their individual charities to help.

Now in its 36th year, the Swimathon features teams of up to six taking part in a swimming relay, where they try to swim as many laps of a pool as possible in half an hour.

The teams will need to find sponsoring and fundraising beforehand, while half the money will go to the team’s chosen cause, and half will go to the Lions Club.

However, in some cases, all the money goes to the charity that has been selected, for example in the case of Scout groups.

One of the event organisers from the Basingstoke Lions Club, Tony Bamberger, said: “Groups from all over the area get involved, and some individual teams take part as well.

“We see a whole variety of charities get some help from the Swimathon, with about 12 teams getting involved in some years.

“I’ve heard of some Lions Swimathons elsewhere in the country taking a week to complete, they have so many teams, but we usually get enough for an evening, however there is always the potential for more.”

As well as groups taking part, companies are encouraged to send a team as well, if they can.

Tony added: “We don’t have so many companies take part any more, and it would be good to have more teams.

“They can support their own charity if they have picked one to support for the year or choose another one.

“Overall, we usually raise a couple of thousand of pounds from the Swimathon, and we are hoping to do so again this year or even better.”

This year’s event will be held at the Basingstoke Sports Centre, in Festival Place, on March 2 starting at 5.30pm.

For more information or a form to apply, contact Tony on tony.bamberger@hotmail.co.uk.