Event details & times:

Cheltenham College Pool: 8am - 1pm

Dean Close Pool: 3:30pm - 8pm

Swimmers of any ability can participate either individually (over 16) or in a relay team of 2-6 people in 25 minute sessions throughout the day.

Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

This event is in memory of Karen Whitton (Venn) who after a courageous two year battle with cancer, passed away on the 2nd September 2023.

As Karen was passionate about swimming and had been involved all through her life, we thought it very appropriate to do a Swim for Life Event for Cancer Research UK.

Karen was a member of Cheltenham Swimming Club and swam competitively at County and District Level. She was an ASA Advanced Swim Teacher, and she owned her own swim school (AquaSplash Swim) alongside her mother Marian Venn (Big Waves Swim School). She also taught swimming and was a teaching assistant at Dean Close, and taught sports at Airthrie School for a short while.

Karen was loved by all, she brought a beautiful and fun energy to everyone she engaged with and everything she did.

We have chosen to "swim the collective distance of the River Severn". This is the longest river in England at 220 miles long, so we need as many swimmers as possible, of any ability, to participate. This will take place on Saturday 7th September 2024. In addition, the pupils of Dean Close school from Year One to the Upper 6 will be collaboratively swimming in year groups towards the distance. Their funds raised will go towards Sue Ryder Hospice in Cheltenham, where Karen was cared for before she passed away.

Whilst Karen was battling cancer and undertaking intensive treatment, she ran the 5k Race for Life two years in a row, alongside her daughter Holly and other family members, raising over £8000 for Cancer Research UK. This is why we have chosen to continue her legacy and raise more funds for a charity close to all our hearts.

We would like as many of you as possible to participate, so please email Marian Venn at bigwaveswim@yahoo.co.uk to request an entry form.