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I'm taking on a new long distance swim challenge – swimming a full running marathon distance of 42.2km in the Lido.  That’s 26.1miles or 844 laps of the 50m swimming pool! The aim is to raise awareness and funds for the historic Sandford Parks Lido that provides the residents of Cheltenham with a historic and truly wonderful swimming facility. 

I will start the swim at 6am on the morning of Sunday the 15th of July and swim for as long as it takes! I hope fellow swimmers will turn out to swim with me and the publicity will raise awareness of what a great local amenity the Lido is. 

The Sandford Lido was opened in 1935 and like many traditional Lidos it hasn’t always enjoyed the popularity or patronage it deserves. By the 1990s it was losing money and the local Borough Council who ran the pool considered shutting it down due to high maintenance costs and the refurbishment work that needed to be done. In 1996 a charitable trust was set up to manage the Lido and not only did it survive but over £370,000 was raised along with government grants to refurbish the pool and fix many of the longstanding problems. The Charitable trust that now oversee the running of the Lido are made up of volunteers passionate about maintaining and preserving the historical Lido for the local community. 

Please consider either coming down for a swim on the 15th of July or donating to help the Sandford Parks Lido continue to serve the local community well for years to come.  

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