Dive into January with a new fitness challenge and help raise vital funds to care for local people living with life-limiting illness. Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice is urging swimming enthusiasts to take on ‘The Big Splash’ this February – a new swimming challenge which will see people go the distance for crucial hospice care.
Taking place on Saturday 1 February at Harborne Pool and Fitness Centre and Sunday 2 February at Northfield Leisure Centre, The Big Splash will see swimmers take on a 1k or 2k swim-a-thon, with every stroke raising funds for the charity.
Participants will aim to beat the clock in a slow, medium or fast-paced lane, making The Big Splash ideal for beginners and for more seasoned swimmers looking for a new challenge. All funds raised will go towards Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, which provides vital care and support to local people living with life-limiting illness.
Laura Nash, events manager at Birmingham St Mary’s, said: “Now all the Christmas festivities are over, I know lots of people will be looking for ways to get fit this New Year – so how about taking on our new swimming challenge? Swimming is fantastic for both your physical and mental health – it gets your whole body moving, it builds muscle strength and it’s known for boosting your mood and self-esteem. Taking on The Big Splash will be a great motivator to kick-start your New Years’ fitness resolution, whilst also helping to raise much-needed funds for hospice care.
“At the Hospice, not only do we support people to be comfortable and pain free, but we’re also there to make sure people can keep living the best quality of life possible. It will cost £9 million to run all of our services in 2020 – 64 per cent of which will need to come from generous voluntary donations. That’s why events like The Big Splash are so important, as they help raise funds so that more people can receive crucial care when they need it most.”
Every day, Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice cares for and supports 500 people who are living with life-limiting illness across Birmingham and Sandwell. It can provide support in people’s homes, in the community and at the Hospice itself.
Registration for The Big Splash costs £5 for the 1k challenge and £8 for the 2k challenge.
