Swindon24 reported on Monday 18 May 2026 that the annual Rotary Charity Swimathon had taken place the day before, on the Sunday, at Highworth Recreation Centre.
The event is organised by the Swindon North and Thamesdown Rotary Club. Teams of friends, families, colleagues and community groups swim in relay for 55 minutes. It is not a race: there is no set distance and no required speed. Volunteers counted each team's lengths through the morning and early afternoon, and swimmers received medals and certificates.
Where does the money go?
Each swimmer collects their own sponsorship. The money is split 50-50 between the swimmer's chosen cause and the event's nominated charity, which in 2026 was Phoenix Enterprises. The report says Phoenix Enterprises supports more than 120 vulnerable adults in Swindon with mental health challenges, learning difficulties and physical disabilities. Some swimmers also raised money for the Swindon Dolphins. Amazon vouchers went to the three highest fundraisers.
The 2025 event raised £6,850 and organisers hoped to beat that. The report did not give a total for 2026.
Rotary chair Colin Horsby said: "We're raising funds for local charities, so our sponsored charity this year is Phoenix Enterprises." One young swimmer, Elise, swam 130 lengths against her target of more than 120. The outgoing Mayor of Swindon, Fay Howard, attended.
Source: Swindon24.