ORGANISERS of an annual charity swim are hoping to beat the amount of money they raised at this year's event.

Hundreds of people are expected to sign up for the 31st Taunton Soroptimist Swimathon at Taunton School on February 23 and 24 next year.

The splash will raise cash to fund a community nurse at St Margaret's Hospice and also support Somerset Sight, which caters for people who are blind and visually impaired and celebrates its centenary in 2019, and Citizens Advice Taunton.

Teams of six take part in relay for 53 minutes, with individuals covering two lengths at a time.

Swimathon co-ordinator Christine Briggs for the organisers, Soroptimist International Taunton, said: "It doesn't matter if you swim doggy paddle or crawl or if your team swims 20 laps or 80.

"It's all about having fun while raising money for local good causes. Everyone gets a medal, there are lots of trophies to be won and it is only £10 per team to enter.

"Lots of organisations, schools, friends and families take part year on year and it's always great to see the swimmers return but its also good to have new teams join us in the fun."

In the last 30 years, Swimathon has raised more than £631,000, which has been shared out to 78 local charities. In that time, more than 17,500 swimmers have taken part.

Last year the event raised £20,189 and in 2019 organisers say they want to bring in even more.

The Swimathon was started to support the then new St Margaret's Hospice with the aim of raising £12,000 to pay for a nurse for a year - a target it beat by £1,000.

Due to that success, it was decided to run another Swimathon the following year and in the ensuing 30 years it has become one of the biggest fundraisers in the South West, with the hospice being one of the beneficiaries on many occasion.

Entry forms for February's Swimathon are now available. To book your place call the bookings officer Pauline on 01823-423187 or e-mail on taunton.swimathon@outlook.com

You can also visit sigbi.org/taunton/soroptimist-swimathon and download an entry form.