TWO of the Lakes District's leading outdoor organisations have joined forces in time for the nationwide Swimathon.

The Open Water Swimming Club has teamed up with Lakes Leisure on Rayrigg Road in Windermere to use their club house and changing rooms for regular events and swim coaching. And the first big event takes place on April 28.

The charity swimming challenge offers the chance to swim a mile on the lake to raise money for Sport Relief. Nationally the event has been running since 1986 and has raised more than £36million so far.

“Thousands of swimmers take to pools across the country but we are so lucky here to have England’s biggest lake to stage our event,” said Pete Kelly of the Open Water Swimming Club.

He added: “We are delighted to join forces with Lakes Leisure as this will provide our regular club swimmers with great facilities as well as good access to the water.”

Kath Jackson, the manager of Lakes Leisure at Windermere, said: “It’s great that our facilities can be used by a local club, and the regular open water swimming here will be a bonus for all those who come along to our watersports.”

Lakes Leisure, which also has centres in Kendal and Ullswater, is a charitable trust centred on the local community which offers a variety of activities encouraging people of all ages and abilities to take part. Its aim is to make activities inclusive, affordable and accessible to everybody regardless of age, ability or situation.

The Windermere venue is a recognised training centre for the Royal Yachting Association and an approved British Canoe Union centre. They also offer windsurfing coaching. It’s popular with visitors, but as Kath Jackson says: “We recognise the importance of health and well being within our programmes and offer lots of different activities not just at our centres but also in the local community. Our Community Sports Teams run sessions in partnership with Age UK, Cumbria Constabulary, Cumbria Sport, St Mary’s Hospice and other local groups and partners.”

Courses for local schools are held regularly, as well as teambuilding sessions.

The Swimathon runs from 11am till 2pm, and for those not registered via the official Swimathon website, there’s a suggested donation of £5. Swimmers will need wetsuits, coloured hats, goggles and swimsocks. Changing facilities will be available.

Andrea Tucker of the Open Water Swimming Club said: “We will be putting out markers for a one mile distance on the lake, but if anyone wants to go further, that’s fine."

Further details about the Swimathon can be found at www.openwaterswimmingclub.co.uk, and updates can be found on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/openwaterswimming