On the 16th - 18th October, over 21,000 swimmers will be heading down to over 600 pools across the UK to raise money for our two amazing charity partners.

Cancer Research UK, the world’s leading cancer charity is dedicated to saving lives through funding research to help prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. Cancer Research UK are the only charity fighting over 200 cancer types but don't receive any government funding for their work, so their progress is all thanks to the support of people like you.

Marie Curie provides expert care, guidance and support for people living with any terminal illness, and their families. Around 2,100 Marie Curie Nurses work day and night, in people’s homes all over the UK, providing hands-on care to people when they need it most.

Together we can really make a difference. We invite our swimmers to tell their story to help spread awareness and raise vital funds for these two incredible causes.

My mother had cancer. I became aware firstly that she had throat cancer. She had a lifelong fear of getting the disease! Mum had actually had primary cancer and had kept it a secret from the family other than Dad. It was a surprise to us and I actually disputed with the doctor that the throat cancer was secondary as we were unaware of the initial occurrence. Mum was of course a member of the war generation and amazingly the cancer didn't actually beat her as she eventually died from more general causes later on.