The Great Swim Series has announced WaterAid has become its official 2021 Charity Partner.
The international charity, which supports communities around the world to gain access to clean water and good sanitation, is teaming up with the popular open water swimming events to boost their fundraising this summer.
The John West Great Swim Series includes the UK's biggest open water swimming event, the Great North Swim in the Lake District National Park and the Great East Swim in Suffolk. The events attract more than 12,000 swimmers and more than 40,000 supporters.
Jennifer Isaac, Partnerships Director at The Great Run Company said, “We're excited to work with WaterAid across our swim events.
“Our participants are passionate about water and they understand the vital need to provide clean water for communities around the world.
“Partnering with WaterAid will give us the opportunity to support them in their mission to bring clean water to everyone around the world and encourage our swimmers to show their support through fundraising.”
The Great Swim Series had to be cancelled last year due to the pandemic but the organisers are confident that this year's events will go ahead in June.
Marcus Missen, Director of Fundraising and Communications at WaterAid said, “We are thrilled that the Great Swim Series will be partnering with us. It is great to be working with an event that values the power of water as much as we do. We are fortunate in this country to have so many stunning places we can swim as well as clean drinking water on tap.
“There are still 785 million people around the world – that is one in ten - who do not have clean water close to home, forcing them to spend hours every day collecting water that is often dirty and can make them sick. The time wasted walking for water keeps children from school and families from earning a living. We can all help change this – through our love of water.”
The John West Great North Swim will take place from 11-13 June 2021 and the Great East Swim will take place on Sunday 19 June. Both events feature a selection of distances suitable for swimmers of all ages and abilities. To find our more about taking on a Great Swim challenge to fundraise for WaterAid please visit their website.