By Paul Rodger

BANKIES are being encouraged to take part in the world’s biggest fundraising swim event.

Swimathon weekend, in aid of Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie, takes place from Friday, April 27 to Sunday, April 29. 

Participants can choose individual challenges of 400m, 1.5k, 2.5k or 5k or team distances of 1.5k or 5k.

There’s also the opportunity to take part in MySwimathon, where participants can complete one of the individual challenges or set their own distance at any time between April 20 and May 6. 

Carolyn Snedden, Marie Curie’s fundraising manager for Scotland, said: “We’re hoping people across Scotland are as excited as us about this year’s Swimathon and will join us by taking the plunge.”

Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman for Scotland, added: “Swimming is a great way to keep active, which can help reduce the risk of three different types of cancer, heart disease and stroke.”