Lytham St Annes Lions swim fund-raiser 2021 already off

Lytham St Annes Lions’ Swimarathon 2021 has been called off.
Some of the participants who raised £14,000 for charity at this year's Lytham St Annes Lions Swimarathon in JanuarySome of the participants who raised £14,000 for charity at this year's Lytham St Annes Lions Swimarathon in January
Some of the participants who raised £14,000 for charity at this year's Lytham St Annes Lions Swimarathon in January

The event which over more than three decades has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity was scheduled to next take place in January but Lions officials say the safety measures required in light of the Covid pandemic already mean it is impossible to stage it so soon.

The day-long marathon in the YMCA Pool at St Annes was due to celebrate its 35th anniversary and over the years has provided vital cash backing for a host of local good causes.

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More than 500 swimmers, many of them youngsters, took part last January and raised £14,000, the majority of which was donated to the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Guide Dogs for the Blind, while Home-Start Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre also benefited and funds were also presented to the Mayor of Fylde’s charities.

In recent years, the Swimarathon has also helped pay for defibrillators for Fylde schools as well as heart monitoring sessions for young people and is by far the local Lions’ branch’s biggest annual fund-raiser.

“We are so grateful to everyone who has supported the event over the years and we were anticipating that many of those who took part this year would be back in January,” said Lions spokesman Colin Holt.

“But all teams who entered for this year’s event, and all our sponsors, are receiving a letter announcing that next year’s event has been cancelled due to the current measures to counteract Covid-19.

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“We are all too aware of necessary precautions which have to be taken in the fight against the spread of the pandemic.

“From discussions with YMCA senior management, the club understands that the precautions which would have to be put in place in the baths building would render it impossible to hold the event next year.

“It’s so disappointing but sadly a necessary decision. We will keep the Swimarathon 2022 under review and are already looking at possible other ways of raising funds to help charities.”

In 2018, the Swimarathon raised £15,000 for the Edward Dee Forever Fund for Meningitis Now in memory of 10-year-old St Annes schoolboy Edward Dee and Edward’s mum Elizabeth called the cancellation for 2021 “a huge blow”.

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She said: “It is so sad to hear such a major event has already been called off but I can see why, it doesn’t really surprise me and I’m sure others will follow into next year.

“It’s sad because of the amount of money it raises for charities, many of which are really struggling for funds in the current circumstances as so many such events are having to be called off, and also because it is such a huge community draw to which everyone who takes part look forward so much.

”We have been taking part as a family for years and have always enjoyed the atmosphere and cameraderie.”

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