WITH just two weeks to go of their fundraiser, a Basingstoke sports club has raised more than £11,000 to help them come back stronger post-Covid.

Basingstoke Bluefins launched an appeal earlier this year, asking members and supporters to set themselves challenges and raise funds for the club’s recovery after the pandemic.

Now the various squads are back in the pool, they are more determined than ever to smash their £12,500 target.

From running challenges, to cycling, and a whole array of other weird and wonderful endeavours in between, the club’s community has rallied round to save something so important to them.

Posting on its fundraising page, the team wrote: “Covid-19 has changed our lives in different ways, and like most organisations Bluefins Swimming Club has suffered huge financial losses. We want to protect our swimming club for local children and adults, who rely on swimming for health, wellbeing, friendships, competition and confidence.

“We are a non-profit organisation, and our activities are funded by monthly membership fees from swimmers and an annual programme of Open Meets and galas. The pandemic has stopped us from running these and securing the funds used to run the club.”

It continued: “The club, run by a team of passionate volunteers, during lockdown have continued to provide our young swimmers with a full programme of online activities. We are extremely proud of what we have achieved despite the pandemic. This has been so important with maintaining and developing our swimmers’ physical and mental wellbeing.

“Please help us to save our club - both for our current members and for the ones yet to be part of the Bluefins family in the future.”

Contributors to the cause will also be in with the chance of winning some epic prizes - with a pilates session with GB swimmer Hannah Miley, a magnum of champagne, £30 Go Ape Voucher, and 5-aside game at Soccer Centre just a few of the things you could win.

For more information, or to donate, visit: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/basingstoke-bluefins-swimming-club-covid-19-appeal