FOUR Somerset charities have received a welcome boost - thanks to the splashing efforts of swimmers.

Money raised in the 32nd Taunton Soroptimist Swimathon have been donated to the four chosen charities.

Charities to benefit are the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Taunton Opportunity Group, St Margaret's Hospice and Reminiscence Learning.

Organisers gathered at Vivary Park, Taunton, for a socially-distanced presentation.

"It seems a long time since we held the event way back in February," said one of the organisers, Christine Briggs.

"Due to the Covid-19 pandemic it has taken longer than usual for many of the teams to pay in their money and we had to cancel our normal evening event in April. But finally we had all the money in and it was a brilliant £16,528.06 so it was wonderful to be able to finally give each charity £4,132.02 this morning in the fresh air in the beautiful Vivary Park.

"This brings the total amount raised in 32 years to £667,046.72 which has all gone to 78 local charities."

More than 330 swimmers took part in the event, swimming more than 100 miles over the course of the weekend.

"Sadly we have had to make the decision not to actually present the trophies this year because we could not hold an event for that many people but all the trophies have been engraved to make an official memory and all the winning teams are receiving certificates so that they have a personal reminder of their achievement," Christine said.

Below is a list of the winning teams from the event, which was sponsored by Taunton School, Milsted Langdon, Rockwell Printers, Timpson, Alpha Trophies and the Care Partnership.

  • Soroptimist Plate for the team swimming the most laps - Dark Horses - 88
  • Western Power Distribution Shield for the team swimming the 2nd highest number of laps - Hydro Sharks - 85
  • Soroptimist Anniversary Trophy for the non swimming club team swimming the most laps - Dark Horses - 88
  • Taunton Times Family Cup for the family team swimming the most laps - Rawlee - 73
  • Taunton Chamber of Commerce Trophy for the Chamber members team swimming the most laps - Milsted Langdon A
  • Taunton School Junior Trophy for the primary school team swimming the most laps St George's Sharks - 61
  • Taunton School Senior Trophy for the secondary school team swimming the most laps The Dolphins - 69
  • Adrian Nicholson Strongvox Trophy for the under 13s team swimming the most laps shared between St George's Sharks and The Turtles - 61
  • Soroptimist Millenium Trophy for Youth for the under 18's team swimming the most laps - The Dolphins - 69
  • Westbury Homes Trophy for the Team raising the most money - 80 Years 80 Laps (Citizens Advice Taunton) £1,426.50
  • Milsted Langdon Challenge Cup for the 1st time entrant raising the most money - Kingston Crew £1,306
  • Accountants Trophy for the accountancy team raising the most money - Milsted Langdon D £1,064.50
  • Clarke Willmott Trophy for the legal team raising the most money - 80 Years 80 Laps £1,426.50
  • Soroptimist Family Trophy for the family team raising the most money - Six of the Best £373
  • CS Williams Challenge Cup Swimathon Committee special award for the team making the most effort - Somerset Sight Swimmers
  • Mayor's Cup for the Team giving long term support but never having won a trophy this year shared between 4 teams from the Hydrographic Office, Hydro Narwhals ,Dolphins, Pirates and Seamonkeys
  • SI Team with a Theme Trophy for the team with the best theme - Archie's Friends - Butterfly Moments"

Somerset County Gazette:
DONATION: To Bill Tregillus, from the Taunton Opportunity Group

 

Somerset County Gazette:
DONATION: To Bill Sivewright from the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

 

Somerset County Gazette:
DONATION: To Fiona Mahoney from Reminiscence Learning

 

Somerset County Gazette:
DONATION: To Kara Frampton, from St Margaret's Hopsice

 

Somerset County Gazette: