Planning is underway for the next Cheadle Hulme Christian Aid Group annual sponsored swim. The event – one of a number the group organises – has been taking place for decades and, last year, raised more than £1,600.
Organisers Gill Smith and Hazel Crummett said the event – at the swimming pool at Cheadle Hulme School – went smoothly. Gill explained: “We had 12 swimmers from three churches – All Saints CofE, St Ann’s RC and Cheadle Hulme Methodist. “They each swam for 15 minutes and completed a total of 242 lengths. One person, from Swann Lane URC, was away so opted to swim later. “The swim has been one of our annual fundraisers for Christian Aid for, we believe, more than 50 years. The only year it did not take place was 2020 due to the pandemic.”
Hazel added: “Many years ago we had the offer of a pool for free. We had been running an annual sponsored walk every May so thought a sponsored swim in November was worth trying and we’re still doing it more than 50 years later. We had a well organised and enthusiastic committee from all the churches in Cheadle Hulme keen to support Christian Aid and looking for new ways to raise money. “It would be difficult to estimate the total amount raised but in the last 10 years the swim alone has raised more than £18,000.”
The next swim is due to take place on Sunday, November 16. The money raised goes towards projects Christian Aid is funding, run by local partners in countries around the world.
Christian Aid supporters help millions of people in the most vulnerable communities transform their lives. Last year (2024), the organisation worked with 260 partners to reach 4.5 million people via hundreds of projects, from savings and loans associations to farming co-operatives, and climate disaster risk training to healthcare schemes.
To find out more about the work of Christian Aid and how to get involved, go to www.christianaid.org.uk.
