KINGSBRIDGE Estuary Rotary Club held its 19th annual swimarathon on Friday, raising thousands for local charities.

More than 450 swimmers in 54 teams took part in the event at the Quayside Leisure Centre on Friday, in support of Shared Lives, a charity which helps support disabled adults in families, and the Freya Foundation, a charity that supports families of children with Pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency or PDH.

A spokesman for the Kingsbridge Estuary Rotary Club said that they think they have raised at least £6,500 with money expected to be finally counted by the end of November. They thanked everyone who helped and attended, especially Bantham Surf Life Saving Club and Kingsbridge Kingfishers Swimming Club ‘who always bring ten teams, raise loads of money and swim the most lengths’.

We will let you know the final total raised as soon as we can. Over the years £143,000 has been raised by the youth of our area through the Swimarathon. Each team taking part will get up to 50 per cent of all money raised going back to the individual schools and clubs for their own funds, while the other 50 per cent is split between the two charities.If you would like to find out more about Shared Lives, visit: sharedlivesplus.org.uk or for the Freya Foundation, visit: www.thefreyafoundation.co.uk