Pool-lovers are being urged to dive into good causes this spring by signing up for Swimathon 2025.

Swimmers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to take the plunge and raise money for Cancer Research UK, Marie Curie and the Swimathon Foundation.

Around 500 UK pools will host the event from March 28 to 30 and include:

Swimathon president and Olympic gold medallist, Duncan Goodhew MBE, said: “Every year at Swimathon, I meet incredible people with incredible stories.

“Those who are swimming for the first time, those that are swimming in memory of a loved one, those that are swimming unimaginable distances, those that are recovering from cancer, or those that are facing a terminal illness.

"Everyone has their own story and everyone can set their own Swimathon challenge. You just have to be you; whatever your ability, whatever your age, whatever your drive. To me, everyone is a Swimathon star!”

There’s a variety of individual challenges to choose from - starting at 400m up to a supercharged Triple 5k – or teams of two to five people can take part in a 1.5k or 5k relay.

More than 750,000 swimmers have taken part and raised more than £55 million for a variety of nominated charities since the event started in 1986.

Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Surrey, Lynn Daly, added: “It doesn’t matter if you’re not the fittest or the fastest, because there’s no greater motivation for taking part than helping to support causes that are close to the hearts of so many.”

Five or 10 week training plans are available for all challenges online, with details about dates and times at all venues. For more information, visit https://www.swimathon.org/.