Manchester Aquatics Centre will be hosting a team of fundraising swimmers as part of a national swimming marathon designed to raise funds for Sport Relief.
Staff and members will be cheering on the 13 swimmers, who have each committed to swimming 31 miles at 31 pools across six days; the pool at Manchester Aquatics Centre is the 9th pool and will welcome the swimmers on Friday 26th February between 10pm-midnight. Along the way they’ll be supported by a host of celebrities including James Hickman and Duncan Goodhew, with Steve Parry taking at dip in Manchester

 The fundraiser is the brainchild of Better, the leisure operator that manages leisure facilities in Manchester on behalf of Manchester City Council. The organisation is the official health and fitness partner of Sport Relief 2016 and has committed to raising a massive £500k for the charity through a host of activities under the #TeamBetter banner.​

British Olympian, and one of the 13 Team Better swimmers, Fran Leighton, said: “I’ve never been great at swimming up and down, however, I am lucky enough to have represented Great Britain at Water Polo and I captained the team at the London 2012 Olympics. The last time I did a swim set was probably 2012 and I haven’t swum since. I’m excited for the challenge, getting to swim in all the different pools, as well as having the chance to meet people from across the UK, whilst raising money for a great cause.”

Andrew Smith, Partnership Manager for Manchester said, “We are delighted to be hosting a leg of this phenomenal swimming challenge, which really will test the swimmers endurance to the limit. Staff and leisure centre members will be on hand to offer support and cheer them on their way.

“This is just one of a number of Sport Relief fundraising activities we are running this year ranging from the Tour de Manchester on 9th March, various challenges and events across our centres and even a car boot sale on 15th March at North City Family and Fitness Centre! At Better we have given ourselves a huge half a million pound target to reach, so we’re calling on everyone in the local community to get involved and join #TeamBetter.”

Manchester Aquatics Centre will also be playing a key role in the 2016 Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games, taking place between Friday 18th and Sunday 20th March. The leisure centre will be hosting the ‘Swimathon’ on Saturday 19th March. 

In preparation, the public are invited to head down to the centre in the coming weeks, where Better staff will be on hand to offer training tips and advice ahead of the Sport Relief weekend. To sign-up to the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games and for more information about Sport Relief visit: www.sportrelief.com

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