The Big Splash Mile for Sport Relief challenge was launched as part of the Swimathon Weekend over 27 – 29 April 2012.
The launch took place in 10 pools across Great Britain with swimming ambassadors Duncan Goodhew and Jodie Kidd swimming the first two lengths at London’s Oasis Sports Centre.
There were also features across national and regional television through Big Splash partners, the BBC.
The Swimathon Weekend will be hosted across 645 pools in the UK and swimmers will be provided with tips, advice and British Gas Swimfit Training Plans spearheaded by 10k World Champion Keri-Anne Payne (Swimathon 5k), Goodhew (Swimathon 2.5k) and Kidd (Big Splash Mile).
Goodhew admitted he hopes the inclusion of the Big Splash Mile for Sport Relief will lead to a record amount of money being raised for charity.
“We all know that sports such as swimming will enjoy their time in the limelight this year, but 2012 is also our 25th Anniversary year. We’d love to add to the half a million people who have taken part in the event so far, to dive into pools up and down the country.
“These amazing people have raised more than £34 million for charity to date and, by teaming up with the Big Splash, we’re aiming to raise record amounts for not one but two important charities.”
The Big Splash Mile can be completed individually or as part of a team and, thanks to British Gas Swimfit, there is a dedicated training plan to help you achieve your goal.
You can even beat the winter blues by logging your training swims online and tracking your progress around the Caribbean Island of St Kitts on Google Maps.
All the money raised by the public for the Big Splash Mile for Sport Relief will be spent by Comic Relief to help people living incredibly tough lives; both here, at home in the UK, and across the world’s poorest countries.
Each of the first 10,000 people to sign up online for a Swimathon Weekend challenge before 31 January 2012 will enjoy half price entry.
Swimmer entry is open at www.swimathon.org until 25 April 2012.
Or find out more about getting involved on the Big Splash website.