A SPONSORED swim in aid of Chagford Swimming Pool saw local residents aged seven to 70 swim the length of the Devon coast, raising thousands of pounds in just one month to help keep their outdoor pool running

The ‘Swim the Devon Coast’ challenge asked people to collectively swim lengths of Chagford Pool equivalent to the the distance from Coombe Martin on the north Devon coast around to Lyme Regis on the Dorset coast, just over the Devon border. As this is is 355km and the pool measures 34 metres 10,441 lengths were needed.

A total of 28 swimmers took up the challenge, with the last two signed up in the final couple of days.

A spokesperson from the pool said the enthusiasm and determination of all the swimmers to reach their own goals had been ‘impressive’. ‘The generosity of those sponsoring the swimmers or donating separately has surpassed all expectations,’ she said.

‘A huge thank you to the swimmers for fundraising and to all who have donated.

‘By being involved you have been supporting the pool through this very difficult year and, hopefully, helped it to be in a stronger position for the start of the 2021 season.

‘The Just Giving page will remain open into October so anyone wishing to donate can still do so by visiting https://justgiving.com/campaign/swimDevoncoast’

The challenge ran through August until September 13. In one month a total of 7,485 lengths were completed which was 254.5km.

One swimmer challenged herself to swim the distance of the whole of the East Devon coast, 50km, and having completed that kept on swimming.

The youngest swimmers were seven and nine years old and the age range extended to over 70.

As the Times went to press almost £3,700 had been raised thanks to the sponsored swim.

The spokesperson added: ‘The pool is a very important local resource normally used by all ages from babies upwards, locals (including the local school) and visitors.

‘It is used for serious swimming to playing in the toddler pool — swim teaching, physical and mental health, recuperation, social gathering and so on.

‘Fundraising events run by the committee usually help to towards financing capital projects, maintenance and replacements.’