A SWIMATHON held every year in Taunton has raised more than £15,000 for four different charities.

The 29th annual Soroptimist Swimathon, which was held on February 18 and 19 at Taunton School, saw groups rent a lane in the swimming pool in order to complete as many laps as possible for charity.

This year's event made a big fundraising splash with £16,463.66 raised. The amount will be split between the Taunton Association for the Homeless, Stand Against Violence, Apple FM (Musgrove Park Hospital and Community radio) and the Taunton Mother and Baby Home.

An awards evening was held on Friday, April 28, to award the charities with the cheques and to give the trophies to the winning teams.

Christine Briggs, swimathon co-ordinator, said: "It was a lovely evening attended by MP Rebecca Pow who kindly presented all the trophies to the winning teams and the cheques to the charities we supported this year."

She congratulated all the swimmers and the Soroptimists on a fantastic achievement."

The amount raised this year brings the total for the 29 years to £610,895.02 that has been given to charities in and around Taunton.

Mrs Briggs added: "We are now starting to plan next years Swimathon. This will be our 30th Swimathon and we are aiming for it to be the biggest and best yet."

Somerset County Gazette:

The trophy winners were:

  • Soroptimist Plate Trophy for the team swimming the most laps - Hydro Sharks - 86 laps
  • Western Power Distribution Shield for the Team swimming the 2nd highest number of laps - CT2 (TDSC) 85 laps
  • Soroptimist Anniversary Trophy for the non-swimming club team swimming the most laps - Hydro Sharks - 86 laps
  • Chamber of Commerce Trophy for the Members Team swimming the most laps - Shark Willmott - 71 laps
  • Soroptimist Millenium Trophy for Youth for the under 18s team swimming the most laps - CT2 (TDSC) - 85 laps
  • Adrian Nicholson Strongvox Trophy for the 13s and under team swimming the most laps - CT2(TDSC) - 85 laps
  • Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust Trophy for the Trust Team swimming the most Laps - Willow Wavemakers - 48 laps
  • NHS Somerset Trophy for the NHS Team swimming the most laps - Willow Wavemakers - 48 laps
  • The Taunton Times Family Cup for the Family Team swimming the most laps - Murwells - 47 laps
  • The Taunton School Junior Trophy for the Primary School Team swimming the most laps - North Town All Stars - 53 laps
  • HSBC Bank Trophy for the Bank Team swimming the most laps - HSBC Making Waves - 66 laps
  • Westbury Homes Trophy for the most money raised by a single team - Stand Against Violence - £1,007.50
  • Milsted Langdon Challenge Cup for the first time entrants raising the most money - Stand Against Violence - £1,007.50
  • The Accountants Trophy for the Accountancy Team raising the money - Milsted Langdon "C"  - £944.20
  • Clarke Willmott Trophy for the Legal Team raising the most money - Shark Willmott £317.40
  • Soroptimist Family Cup for the Family Team raising the most money  - Six of the Best -  £284
  • Hilary Smith Trophy for the Medical Team raising the most money - Willow Wavemakers - £622.34
  • Soroptimist International Team with a Theme Trophy for the Team with the Best Theme - Russian Dolls
  • CS Williams Challenge Cup Swimathon Committee Special Award - St George's Dolphins
  • The Mayor's Cup - Lentells Accountants