Our Swimathon

10^th January 2025- Our Swimathon – Jane Hart

Before the presentation started President Gerry introduced Karen Marsh, a new member who had transferred from Melton RC.

Jane began her presentation with the big question WHY a Swimathon?

• We have an excellent venue at Bingham Arena
• Other clubs have done it successfully, raising funds
• As a Club, we keep talking about it and now take the step to ‘test the water’
• Sponsors have been sourced, so there’s nothing to lose!
• 2024 Jane and Maggie visited Sherwood Sunrisers event and John Bray, their organiser has shared documents and they will go again on 1^st March with Steve Carson

So what’s the process?

• 3months prior (now): Circulate the posters as widely as possible to ‘interest groups’ (swim clubs, Brownies, Scouts, schools, sports clubs) The QR code on the leaflet links to ‘Registration’ and more details (2 teams already registered!). Each team will need a ‘Leader’ with up to 6 swimmers; This leader will receive all the paperwork, and undertake to return the ‘sponsorship forms’ and collected money to The Rotary Club of The Vale of Belvoir; After the event, we will return 70% of the total raised in a cheque made out to the teams nominated charity.
• 2 Months before: Team Leaders will be emailed a reminder that individual entry forms will need to be completed by each swimmer and handed in at registration on the day of the event. A reminder will also be shared that swimmers under 17 years old will need to be accompanied by a responsible adult
• 1 month before the event: Teams will be sent final instructions and their allocated swimming time and lane.
• Internal organisation of the event:
•  Who will register swimmers – Jackie & David V
• Whistle to start and end event – Marilyn Colby
• Who will record the lane counts – Jane & Katie
• Lane counters – 12? needed
• Changing room assistants – Gina & Maggie- (arm band collection)
• Registration lists – pre-prepared
• Lane counting lists – pre-prepared
• Certificates – Steve Lawes? Design? Needs to be decided.
• Allen Richmond to liaise with Jane & Katie for final length counts (on the day). Help with certificates

Jane continued with her immaculate preparation details for ‘on the day’, after the event and example forms, which were followed by a number of questions from members, which Jane fielded with total confidence.

Derek G and the President congratulated Jane on her preparations and presentation, appreciating the amount of work invested and a warm round of applause from the members, who had been captured in concentration!                            AR