Mansfield & Ashfield Charity Stewards stage another triumph with their annual Swimathon

On Saturday 15th March 2025 the Mansfield and Ashfield Charity Stewards celebrated 30 years of their annual Swimathon. 

The annual sponsored swim began in March 1994 (with only one year missed due to Covid19).

The then Chairman of the committee ‘W/Bro Stuart Hill’ had agreed to pay for the hire of the pool if it failed. It didn’t, and that year £3k was raised for the John Eastwood Hospice.

It was decided that the 30th Swimathon should be in support of the John Eastwood Hospice, as with the first.

A heart felt thank you to all the brethren past and present, who have taken part in the swim and assisted over the years, a truly wonderful effort.

My grateful thanks In particular to Ken Purslow (above left) who was coordinating the project with his usual enthusiasm and dedication

Glenn Nixon (centre) and Diane Pawlik (Not pictured) were long suffering at poolside counting the lengths clocked by the swimmers

All monies raised have gone to local Charities and although there are no accurate records of the exact amount raised over the years by reasonable reckoning it must be nudging the £100.000k mark.

John Pawlik Chairman. (Above right)

Many local Lodges were well represented and below are some of the swimming stars giving up their time to raise as much sponsorship for the very well deserving John Eastwood Hospice

Pictured cheering on the swimmer from Saint Peters Lodge 8493 Dan Frost are Tim Bottomley, the Lodge Charity Steward with Kelly and one of the Lodges newest members Jay Key

Representing Forest lodge, Steve Grummett and Roger Sansom (below)

Dave Shilling (Byron Lodge ) and David Elliott (Elliott Lodge) did a wonderful job (pictured below)

One of the absolute stars of the afternoon is pictured below is Zachary Chater-Nixon

Zachary swam over 60 lengths and at the time had raised over £200 on his own with the total increasing as people reacted to his fantastic effort Well done Zachary !

Although it will take time to collect sponsor money in from all the lodges etc it is hoped that this year the event will raise approx £2500