Call for Swimathon teams to help Portishead pool

Campaigners fighting to secure the future of Portishead's open-air pool are urging people to take a dip at this year's Swimathon to help raise funds for the cause.

The annual Portishead Rotary Club Swimathon attracts hundreds of swimmers and raises thousands of pounds for local causes.

Members of the Save The Open-air Pool (STOP) campaign, backed by the Post, want to enter a number of teams in this year's event to help raise cash for the campaign and are asking local people to step forward and take the plunge.

Each team would get sponsored for every length of the pool they swim, with all the money going to secure the future of the seafront lido.

Pool campaigners are fighting to take over the management of the lido from North Somerset Council.

The Portishead Pool Community Trust has been set up and drawn up a 50-page business plan detailing its plans for the attraction. The business plan has now been submitted to the council for its consideration and a meeting to discuss the proposals is being held this week.

A final decision on whether the authority will hand the pool over to the trust is expected in the next few weeks. The trust has also launched a Give A Pound to The Pool campaign to raise £20,000 to help with the costs of opening the lido this season.

STOP campaign leader Roger Whitfield said: "We thought the Swimathon would be an excellent way for people to help us raise money for the trust.

"We are looking for teams of people to come forward and take part in the event and collect sponsorship, with all the money they raise going to the pool campaign.

"We hope to get around four teams, but if the response is good and more people want to get involved, there is no reason why we couldn't enter more.

"I am looking for entries from across the community, whether it be local schools, community groups or just individuals who want to form part of a team.

"The fundraising campaign is going well, but every penny counts and we are still short of our target.

"Every penny raised will go towards getting the pool open this year and carrying out improvements and we plan to continue fundraising until the doors open in May."

The Swimathon is being held on May 10 at the Parish Wharf Leisure Centre. Anyone wanting to enter a team to save the pool should contact Mr Whitfield on 01275 818699.