Swimmers will dive into the world’s biggest fundraising swim at Harrow Leisure Centre and Hatch End Swimming Pool in April as they take on a Swimathon challenge in an effort to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Held at over 600 pools across the UK from 26-28 April, the event will see thousands of swimmers challenge themselves through 5k, 2.5k and 1.5k individual challenges or Team 5k/1.5k challenges, while raising funds to help Marie Curie Nurses care for terminally ill people at the end of their lives.

Entries for Swimathon 2013 opened this month. Television presenter Tim Lovejoy and Swimathon president and Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew launched the event with the unveiling of the Swimathon squad.

Hand-picked by Goodhew himself, the squad is made up of Lovejoy, Sportsister Editor Louise Hudson, Marie Curie Cancer Care supporter Sue Barclay, and Swimathon competition winner, Jennifer Sutton.

The launch saw the squad take part in their first training session ahead of their 5k team challenge later this year at London’s Oasis Sports Centre.

Lovejoy said: “Being part of the Swimathon Squad is a fantastic opportunity to brush up on my swimming skills, while raising awareness of Marie Curie Cancer Care. Like many people, my family has been affected by cancer so I know just how important the Marie Curie Nursing service is to people at the end of their lives and their families. ”

Goodhew added: “It’s going to be a busy few months coaching, and taking part in the Swimathon squad 5k team challenge. The squad provides a fantastic opportunity to bring together swimmers of all abilities and demonstrate to the thousands of people taking part in Swimathon every year that anyone can achieve their goal regardless of their ability, while raising funds for Marie Cure Cancer Care as they smash their target.”

Duncan Cogger, general manager at Harrow, said: “Swimathon is a fantastic way to bring our community together, to raise money for charity, and provides a great challenge.”

Entry is available online for a Swimathon session before 31 January 2013, and you can enjoy half price entry. Swimmer entry is open at www.swimathon.org until April 24.