Level Water swim at Jesus Green Lido, Cambridge, raises charity funds

A Dusk till Dawn swim at Jesus Green Lido in Cambridge in support of Level Water, which provides swimming lessons for children with disabilities across the UK, saw 34 teams swimming through the night in a relay for 12 hours.

The challenge raised a total of £28,000 and counting, which is the equivalent of nearly 2,000 swimming lessons for disabled children.

The countdown started, and at 7pm swimmers began their first lap of the Level Water buoys. Unlike lane swimming, there was space to spread out and enjoy the cool water after the heat of the day.

Swimmers changed over according to their own schedules, every hour coming together to celebrate closing in on the 12-hour goal.

Swimmers snapped photos with the clock to mark each shift, as the fundraising total climbed steadily.

At 6am, all team members were invited to swim together to round off 12 hours.

A crowd gathered at the head of the pool to cheer each team and the two solo swimmers who had achieved the impressive feat of swimming through the night alone.

Oli Abrantes, duty manager at Jesus Green Lido, said: “We were thrilled to host the Dusk till Dawn swim at Jesus Green Lido in support of Level Water, and we’re incredibly proud of the 34 teams who swam through the night in relay for 12 hours.

“The event got off to a fantastic start with a performance by the local Chesterton Community College Folk Fiddle Band, setting a brilliant tone for the night.

“The atmosphere was inspiring, with swimmers of all ages and abilities coming together for a fantastic cause.

“Raising an incredible amount for Level Water will help provide life-changing swimming lessons for children with disabilities, and we’re so grateful to everyone who took part and supported the event.”

Ian Thwaites, CEO of Level Water, added: “The longest day of the year was also the hottest – this year's summer solstice fell on 21 June.

“What better weekend for our first ever Dusk till Dawn swim at Jesus Green Lido. The commitment and resilience it takes to wake at 3am and put on a cold swimming costume or wetsuit shouldn’t be underestimated.

“Every penny of sponsorship was well-earned as swimmers embraced the epic challenge of a full night of swimming.

“Thank you to the Friends of Jesus Green, the lido staff, the lifeguards, the volunteers, all the swimmers – and the little boy who spray-painted a Level Water logo on his T-shirt.”

For more information on Level Water, go to levelwater.org.