Figures in this week confirm the UK’s foremost leisure charitable social enterprise GLL hosted 1,362 fundraising challenges in 87 of its managed pools for Swimathon 2026 – smashing the tally of 1,054 set in 2025 – and raising a record £141k for charities.
Almost half the participating pools were in London boroughs with customers and staff across the capital making a sterling effort to ‘do their bit’ and raise much-needed money.
Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre raised over £3k while Charlton Lido, Finchley Lido, and Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Complex each generated almost £5k.
This year, the world’s biggest fundraising swim – which began 40 years ago – happened over the weekend of 20-22 March, with fundraisers’ proceeds benefitting the world’s largest charitable funder of cancer research, Cancer Research UK, and the UK’s leading end of life charity, Marie Curie, as well as Swimathon Foundation.
Individuals swam a variety of distances – 500m, 1.5k, 2.5k, Swimathon 5k and Triple 5k distances – with teams choosing 1.5k, 2.5k and 5k challenges.
GLL has been supporting Swimathon over the years in its ‘Better’ branded pools. Last year saw 1,054 challenges completed in 68 pools raising £109k for charity.
Swimathon Foundation confirmed £141,639 was raised in GLL pools in 2026.
GLL is the largest provider of public swimming in the UK (140 pools, 9 lidos and one reservoir) including West Reservoir and London Fields Lido – and the biggest provider of swimming lessons – teaching 200,000 people a week, including adult swimmers.
Swimathon also supports end of life charity Marie Curie and the Swimathon Foundation.
GLL’s Head of Sport and Aquatics Andrew Clark said: “Congratulations to Susanna and all our charity fundraisers in Swimathon’s 40th year. With 1362 taking part, Swimathon 2026 is the biggest challenge of its kind we’ve hosted in GLL pools.
“The world’s largest charitable funder of cancer research – Cancer Research UK – and the UK’s leading end of life charity – Marie Curie – as well as Swimathon Foundation directly benefit from our fundraisers’ efforts.
“Swimathon brought people back to the pool in their droves to rediscover their love of swimming.”
Swimathon President Duncan Goodhew is celebrating 50 years since becoming an Olympian. He visited GLL’s London Fields Lido on Saturday 21 March to cheer on challenge fundraisers. He commented: “Thanks to GLL and all our pool operator hosts for supporting their community swimmers young and old to raise much-needed funds for Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie during Swimathon 2026.
“In our 40th anniversary year, Swimathon more than ever exemplifies the collective positive energy of the UK’s swimming community and the benefits swimming brings.”
