Swimarathon 2008 – Melton Lions' latest fundraising effort – was a tremendous record-breaking community success with £8,310 being pledged for three local charities.
Organiser Michael Pell was hoping the club's eigth swimarathon would raise around £6,000 but once all the swimmers' pledges were counted it totalled the most the club has ever raised in any event – a staggering £8,310 – with several more yet to come in.
He said: "Our Swimarathon 2008 was record-breaking in every way. Most sponsorship, most swimmers, most teams and a wonderful community effort.
"Swimmers of all ages and abilities made up a record 36 teams and a competitive but friendly spirit ensued. It wasn't a race but everyone did their best and you couldn't ask for more."
Proceeds this year go to support the Derbyshire, Leicetsreshire and Ruitland air ambulance, Pam Posnett's Mayor's Appeal for her youth fund and Mencap and the club's own charity work in and around the borough.
A total of 203 swimmers – the highest number in the eight years of the event – made up the 36 teams and they collectively swam a staggering record 4134 lengths of the 25-metre pool over the eight-hour event with each team in the water for 55 minutes.
Mr Pell added: "We enjoyed tremendous community support. It was encouraging to see so many youngsters from the schools taking part and local firms rallying round with sponsorship, too."
He, praised the efforts of those taking part. Melton Lion Derek Kerr swam for two teams and one of them – Derek's Dolphins raising just over £1,000
There was one team which put in a staggereing effort – Dollywagon Pike's Andy Banks and Jenny Daley kept going throught their session to swim142 lengths and their efforts received a warm round of applause.
Mr Pell said: "Andy raised a staggering £603 and what made it even more special is that he did a two-hour training session with the GB Downs Syndrome swimming team in Reading earlier and then drove up to take part in our event.
Mr Pell added: "It was pleasing to see Melton Building Society entering teams as well as sponsoring the event. Next year it would be nice if more local firms could dip their toes in the water."
The team covering the most lengths was the Splash and Dash whose 178 beath their last year's record of 167. They were Jamie Graham, Jacob Duce, Jake and Niall Rennie, Chris Draper, Fiona Draper, Daniel Green and Daniel McGhie.
The event was sponsored by The Melton building society, Newby Castleman, Kettleby Foods, Heather Little, Westmoreland's Windows, David Musson fencing, Oldham Marsh page Flavell, Long Clawson Dairy Peter Marsh.
Mr Pell said: "Thanks to the pool staff everything went swimmingly. The swimarathon is a great community event. We'll be back next year looking to increase the numbers taking part and the money we raise."
The club is hoping the trophies and the cheques to the charities will be presented at a ceremony at the council offices in June
All the photos in our slideshow can be bought online by clicking this linkA wider selection of photos from the event can also be viewed and bought from this link, too 