Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew congratulates charitable swimmers (From Haringey Independent)

Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew congratulates charitable swimmers

2:13pm Thursday 1st July 2010 in

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OLYMPIC gold medallist Duncan Goodhew will visit Hornsey tomorrow to congratulate a group of charitable young swimmers.

Twenty-two youngsters from Haringey Borough Swimming Club raised £2,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care as part of Swimathon 2010, a national fundraising event.

It was the biggest group to take part in the event in England.

Mr Goodhew, Swimathon president, will congratulate the teams at Park Road Leisure Centre, in Park Road, tomorrow night and lead a training session for team members.

Paul Doyle, head of competitive swimming at the club, said: "Some of the young people have friends whose parents have died of cancer, so they were particularly happy to raise money for Marie Curie.

"We're really proud that we were able to have more swimmers than any other club in England taking part in this national event."

Mr Goodhew's pool achievements culminated in a last-gasp gold medal in the 100m breaststroke at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

He was awarded an MBE for services to sport in 1981.

Speaking of Swimathon, he said: "I still find the event incredibly exciting.

"The root of this must be how it enables normal people to do extraordinary things.

"Everyone’s challenge is very much their own, but not only do their efforts benefit themselves, they benefit their country and the charities.

"I believe in swimming and I absolutely love anything that motivates people to dive into their local pool."

Participants in Swimathon can take on a variety of challenges, including 1.5km, 2.5km or 5km.

The event launched in 1986 and has since raised more than £32 million for charity.