Commonwealth champion to take the plunge at Purley Swimathon (From Croydon Guardian)

Commonwealth champion to take the plunge at Purley Swimathon

4:00pm Monday 28th January 2013 in News

Amateur swimmers are to plunge into the pool alongside a Commonwealth champion this weekend as part of a charity relay swimathon.

Adam Whitehead, who won gold in the 2002 games and also represented Britain in the Sydney Olympics in 2000, is to take the water at Purley leisure centre on Saturday.

He will be leading Aquanauts, the team being entered by local children's charity Cabrini, as they raise money by swimming as many laps as possible.

Mr Whitehead, aged, 32, said: "Swimming is great fun especially competing in a team, and I would encourage anyone who would like to support this great charity whilst enjoying an exciting activity to sign up and get sponsored."

Amanda Tucker, head of fundraising for Cabrini, said:  “We are delighted Adam is captaining our team of swimmers this year.

"At Cabrini, we rely on support through fundraising events such as this, to help us transform even more lives through adoption, foster care and family services. We welcome anyone who’d like to support us."

The swimathon is organised annually by Purley Rotary Club.

Last year's event saw more than 350 swimmers raise more than £25,000 for charities.