The Thames Marathon, organised by Henley Swim and scheduled for August 15, 2021, has announced a new 2021 partnership with drowning prevention charity, SwimTayka.
‘As today marks ‘Blue Monday’, a day when people can feel down, SwimTayka hopes to help lift spirits by offering people the chance to swim outdoors and take on a new challenge in the form of the iconic Thames Marathon.’
The new partnership aims to raise funds needed to provide free swimming lessons and environmental education about clean water stewardship to underprivileged children around the world while spreading news about the ongoing dangers of drowning.
Founder of SwimTayka, Bryan Avery, said “Drowning is a silent epidemic that claims an estimated 360,000 lives a year, many of them children. Whilst we enjoy the joys of water, we can help others master it, so saving lives.
“During this global pandemic our work has never been more important as people gain respite in open water with sadly not always the skills and safety knowledge they require. We are passionate about drowning prevention and we hope that these incredible swimmers taking on the Thames Marathon will support the cause.”
The Thames Marathon is a sell-out 14km long-distance challenge swim from Henley-on-Thames to Marlow in South East England. The swim can be taken on in skins or wetsuits with limited places available in skins.
Bryan Avery continued “SwimTayka has partnered with the 2021 Thames Marathon giving outdoor swimmers the chance to gain pride from not just taking on an iconic and challenging swim but helping children around the world stay safe in the water and be inspired.”
The partnership offers swimmers two ways to raise money for the charity:
- Free Charity Places: swimmers can sign up for a free charity place and pledge to fundraise £750. Each charity place swimmer will ‘receive a fundraising pack in the post and lots more support.’
- Your Own Place: purchase a swim place and use this chance to fundraise for the charity, email fundraising[at]SwimTayka.org.
henleyswim.com/events/thames-marathon
