by Peter Barnett

A splashing time helping charity raised up to £5,000 at the Margate Rotary Club's annual swimathon.

Estimates from Saturday's event at Hartsdown Lesiure Centre in the town are that over £4,000 has been raised, with swimathon committee chairman Roy Copper hopeful of hitting £5,000 once all sponsorship has been collected.

He said: "It was a fantastic event. There were 130 swimmers in 26 teams who took to the pool and we all had a great time helping really worthwhile causes."

Among teams taking part were Thanet secondary schools St George's, King Ethelbert and Charles Dickens, while kmfm presenter Johnny Lewis competed with Tracie Stevens, marketing manager at Westwood Cross shopping centre, and her partner Harcus Copper. Westgate and Birchington Rotary Club members took part, while many families and individuals also made waves to help others.

Charities to benefit are Margate Rotary Club's Millennium Fund for young people, Kent Air Ambulance, Oasis Women's Refuge and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Mr Copper added: "We thank Thanet Leisure Force and the staff at the leisure centre for their fantastic support. We're already looking forward to Swimathon 2011."