Kind hearted fundraisers are being encouraged to don their swimming gear and make a splash for charity - by joining in Swimathon 2017.

The event will take place across the weekend of April 7 – 9, and residents of Penwith can jump into the event at the pool in Penzance to raise money for the local charity Marie Curie, which is the official charity of this years event.

The annual charitable event began in London, but has since spread all over the country, and has raised over £46m for 36 difference charities.

This year the event will be hosted by celebrity guests to celebrate a special milestone, as 2017 marks 30 years of patrons doing lengths for a good cause.

To celebrate the anniversary the campaign is being headed up by Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew and sporting soprano Laura Wright.

Julie Rickeard, a Marie Curie nurse, said: “We’re looking for swimmers to help make this the biggest and best Swimathon yet.

“In 2015, 22,600 swimmers took part and helped raise a brilliant £1.9 million for Marie Curie – a fantastic achievement but one we are hoping to beat this year.”

Duncan Goodhew, who is also Swimathon President, said: “For the last 29-years it has been a real joy to see Swimathon develop and mature into the great event it is today.

“Nowadays there are thousands of well-organised sports participation events, mostly running and cycling, which raise money for charity but that wasn’t the case in 1988 when we launched the annual event.

“Swimathon really was ahead of its time giving people a chance to get active and do some good at the same time. I am so proud of both Swimathon’s longevity and its legacy.

“This year, Swimathon again provides a fantastic opportunity to bring together swimmers of all ages and abilities to raise vital funds for Marie Curie to continue their work caring for and supporting people living with a terminal illness, and their families.”

Laura Wright, sporting soprano and official anthem singer for the England Rugby Team, said: “I am delighted to be an ambassador for this year’s Swimathon.

“Sport and leading a healthy lifestyle is so important to me for both body and mind and Swimathon encourages people young and old to take part to get fit, healthy, and have fun.

“I want everyone taking part this year to support a friend or family member who is not in the best of health or at peak fitness and encourage them to also take part.

“Swimming is a sport with a real sense of community and I am looking forward to being a part and helping to raise funds for Marie Curie.

“I am so moved by the incredible work that Marie Curie carries out for people affected by terminal illness.

“We have all experienced the difficulty of losing a loved one or knowing we’re going to lose a loved one and Marie Curie is a real support system during this traumatic time.

“I hope that Swimathon will help in raising record amounts this year to help Marie Curie continue supporting and caring for people who need it most.”

Marie Curie is the UK’s leading charity for people with terminal illness, and helps people living with a terminal illness and their families make the most of the time they have together, through delivering hands-on care.