Retford Swimming Club has made a big splash for Bluebell Wood once again this year, raising over £1,000 to support local families going through the toughest of times.

The club’s 135 members, with ages ranging from 7 – 23, took to the water just before the pandemic to raise funds in their annual charity swimathon.

It takes Retford Swimming Club’s grand total over ten years of dedicated fundraising for Bluebell Wood to an astonishing £25,000. 

Amanda Palfreyman, Club Secretary at Retford Swimming Club, said: “We’ve had the privilege of visiting the hospice in the past to see what our efforts have helped achieved and it really is a wonderful place.

“We’re very much a children and family club at the heart of the community, so we like to think of it as a gesture from our extended family to theirs.”

The club raised an incredible £15,000 to build a cinema room for families to enjoy at the hospice in 2010 through a 24–hour relay event, and every year since they’ve continued to support the charity.

This year the club raised just over £1,000, which will be put towards Christmas gift vouchers for the children and young people who visit Bluebell Wood.

“We know that Bluebell Wood is reliant on the support of the communities it serves so we just want to give something back,” added Amanda.

“We’re all very pleased with what we’ve managed to raise under the circumstances and we hope it will help put smiles on the children’s faces after what’s been such a tough year.”

Mel Rose, Regional Fundraiser at Bluebell Wood, said: “We can’t thank everyone at Retford Swimming Club enough for their continued support which really does make a huge difference to the children and families in our care.

“Thanks to their efforts over the years we’re able to help families who sadly don’t know how long they’ll have together make memories they’ll always treasure.

“This year’s amazing fundraising total will help us deliver a much-needed bit of festive cheer to the families in our care and we’re sure there will be plenty of smiles along the way.”

Retford Swimming Club has been serving the community for over 100 years, and are delighted to back in the water again after a year of ups and downs. You can find out more about the club here.