Bristol swimmers raise £13,500 for Jubilee Pool at 24-hour relay

Bristol swimmers completed more than 10,000 lengths to raise over £13,500 for Knowle’s Jubilee Pool during a non-stop 24 hour relay.

The sponsorship donations ensure that the community organisation which took over the pool’s building last autumn has now met the £30,000 fund-raising target it set to cover the costs of repairs and rising energy bills over the winter.

The ‘Jubilee-athon’ event was opened by Alex Edwards (DSS-GB champion) who demonstrated why she is a gold medal holder by storming two lengths, front crawl and butterfly.

Many local families attended the daylight hours sessions including the Hillcrest Posse, which consists of three local mums and six children. The Hillcrest Posse collectively swam 414 lengths and raised £512 alone.

Posse member Iona Keen said: “We had such a good time – despite the chaos of six mixed ability under-12s swimming in one lane!”

Emma Poppleton swam during a solo 3am slot and achieved 100 lengths accompanied by all bystanders singing Celine Dion’s All By Myself at full volume in support.

Mervyn Lavender last swam at the Jubilee Pool in 1957 when he was just ten years old. After securing lots of sponsorship from friends at his local pub, Mervyn got back into the pool for the first time in 66 years and completed an hour-long swim.

He enjoyed the experience so much that he’s now become a regular swimmer at the Jubilee Pool.

Tom Colebrook - AKA Mauve Tiger - completed six slots over the 24 hours, racking up a mammoth 780 lengths.

He said: “The support and praise for my achievement was humbling. Not one moment was a chore, I never felt up against it. I got my ‘golden steam paddles’ fired up and off I went. I am convinced the future is bright, in fact the future is ‘Jubilicious’!”

The Jubilee Pool is continuing to fundraise towards its Winter Energy Appeal and donations can be made here.