AN OLYMPIAN is encouraging people to participate in the world's biggest annual fundraising swimming event.

Swimmer Chloe Tutton with a team from Marie Curie, in Penarth, are pushing for people to jump into the pool for Swimathon to raise money for charity.

The annual event - which has picked Marie Curie as its charity for 2017 - will see participants undertake swimming challenges ranging from 1.5 to five kilometres.

Swimathon will take place between Friday, April 14 to Sunday, 16.

Ms Tutton said: “I enjoy swimming and it’s always been kind of therapeutic to me, but it’s also a good way to stay fit and have fun.

“You don’t have to do it for very long, even if it’s just an hour once a week, you will still build up your fitness and you have a life skill which I think is essential.”

Clare Wright, Corrine Jones, Chris Roberts and Rachel Moses-Lloyd, of Marie Curie, are planning on tackling the 5k course.

Ms Wright, who is community fundraiser for Marie Curie, also urged people to head down to Cardiff International Pool to take part in the Swimathon challenge.

She said: “We’re looking for swimmers to help make this the biggest and best Swimathon yet. In 2015, 22,600 swimmers took part and helped raise a brilliant £1.9 million for Marie Curie – a fantastic achievement but one we are hoping to beat this year.”

To sponsor the hospice team, visit https://www.justgiving.com/companyteams/PenarthHospicePaddlers