A FORMER Team GB swimmer is calling on people across Dorset to sign up for the first ever Swimathon Festival.

Mark Foster is encouraging people of all ages and abilities to get involved the festival, which will see events in pools and the open water take place on the second weekend of September, all in a bid to raise money for Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie.

Swimathon, the world's biggest annual swimming fundraiser, has combined its two main events - Swimathon and Open Water Swimathon - to hold the Swimathon Festival for the first time.

Participating pools including Dorchester Leisure Centre, Blandford Leisure Centre and Bridport Leisure Centre, and swimmers can choose to take part in distance events ranging from 400 metres, to 30 kilometres.

After a year that has seen pools, swimmers and charities struggle due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Mark is championing the positive power of swimming.

He said: "I have been involved with Swimathon for around 10 years now and, in the current climate, this year's event feels more important than ever, both for getting the nation active again and for helping the charities that so need it.

"Covid has stopped so much - there are a lot of people out there that still need help and diseases that need research. Those things don't just go away.

"We know that swimming is a wonderful boost for both physical and mental health, but it can also be a great help to charities. It’s been great seeing so many people back in the water, and with Swimathon combining two of their great events this year, I am looking forward to what will be a brilliant celebration of both swimming and charity in September."

Helen Johnstone, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Dorset, said: "Swimathon is such a fun and simple way to encourage people to dip their toe in the water and get swimming - all while supporting incredible charities.

"It really doesn’t matter if you’re not the fittest or the fastest. I hope swimmers young and old, new and experienced will grab their caps and costumes and dive in to help us keep making transformative steps in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

"One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime. All of us can support the research that will beat it."

For more information and to sign up to the festival, visit www.swimathon.org