26 January 2007
Take a dip on behalf of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal
Lord Mayor John Stuttard urges swimmers from across London to
get fit, have fun and raise money for charity at the CityDip 2007 –
the City of London’s annual sponsored swim at Golden Lane Leisure
Centre on 2 and 3 March.
The City Dip is a 5,000 metre (three mile) swim which can be
completed as an individual or as part of a team of up to six
swimmers. It is an endurance event in aid of a very good cause as
the net proceeds will go to The Lord Mayor’s Appeal, in aid of VSO
(Voluntary Service Overseas), to send volunteers abroad and promote
cross-border learning and exchanges.
‘‘While you are clocking up the lengths in the pool and others
are ‘dipping’ into their pockets to sponsor you, you will be
helping volunteers who share their skills to make a practical,
lasting impact on people's lives. Together we will be making
a true difference to the lives of many people,” says the Lord
Mayor.
“Golden Lane is one of the City's most-appreciated facilities
and a great venue for a swim. I know all the swimmers will
have a great deal of fun,” the Lord Mayor adds.
Last year’s CityDip raised over £30,000 for the Treloar Trust.
There were 285 entrants making up around 70 teams from City
Businesses, Livery companies, City school and residents swam a
total of 350,000 metres.
The Lord Mayor will open CityDip 2007 at Golden Lane, but
swimmers can also make a big splash at Virgin Active Barbican.
Every swimmer will receive a commemorative CityDip 2007 certificate
and fund-raising incentives. There will be a prize for the highest
fund-raising team and individual.
For an event application form visit
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/citydip
Ends
Notes for editors
The CityDip is the City of London’s annual sponsored swim which
raises money for charity. Anyone can join in. All you have to do is
complete as many lengths as possible within the times of the
session you choose. Adults may swim up to 5,000 metres (250 lengths
of the Golden Lane Leisure Centre swimming pool or 200 lengths of
the Virgin Active swimming pool). Children may swim up to
1,000 metres (50 lengths of Golden Lane Leisure Centre swimming
pool or 40 lengths of the Virgin Active swimming pool) or more
if they are able. Entrants can swim as individuals or as part
of a team of three to six people (one swimmer in the water at
anytime). Children’s teams can consist of up to 10 swimmers. An
average team takes approximately 21⁄2 hours to complete the swim.
CityDip 2007 will be held at Golden Lane Leisure Centre and Virgin
Active Barbican
The City of London, which is headed by the elected Lord Mayor,
provides local government services for the Square Mile, the
financial and commercial heart of Britain and is committed to
maintaining and enhancing the status of the business City as the
world's leading international financial and business centre through
its policies and services. Its responsibilities also extend far
beyond the City boundaries and include management of the Barbican
Centre, Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey, Epping Forest,
Hampstead Heath, three wholesale food markets, as well as acting as
the London Port Health Authority.
Under the title 'Sharing Skills, Changing Lives', the Lord
Mayor's Appeal 2007 is dedicated to raising funds for cross-border
learning. This stems from the principle that cross-border learning
helps to transfer knowledge from one country to another and
improves awareness of the culture of others, thus encouraging
greater mutual understanding. The Lord Mayor’s Appeal will
contribute towards VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas). If you would
like to know more about the charity and the various events being
organised throughout the year, please visit the website at:
www.thelordmayorsappeal.org.
Press enquiries: 020 7332 1528
Out of hours: 0777 080 3589