SWIMMERS, paddlers and splashers all raised money at the annual Marie Curie Swimathon on Saturday Gathered at Dunmow leisure centre, on Parsonage Downs, Police officers and primary school pupils took the plunge to raise lots of cash for the Marie Curie Ca

SWIMMERS, paddlers and splashers all raised money at the annual Marie Curie Swimathon on Saturday

Gathered at Dunmow leisure centre, on Parsonage Downs, Police officers and primary school pupils took the plunge to raise lots of cash for the Marie Curie Cancer Fund.

In the pool were Dunmow Police community support officers, Angi Greneski, Emma Webb and Glenn Braden, swimming 5km and raising well over £500. Glenn said: "We are all very pleased that we raised so much money for charity, we split the distance between the three of us but it was still quite a tough challenge. We would also like to say a big thank-you to everyone that sponsored us."

At the same time ten-year-old Amandine Donovan was busy swimming 5km (200 lengths) in just two hours and 31 minutes, exceeding her own expectations. She said: "It was really hard especially in the second hour, but it was the thought of not letting all of the sponsors down that kept me going."

In total Amandine raised in excess of £350.

Two swimming teachers, who are members of Dunmow Masters Swimming Club, complete the watery four. Louise Poulton and Sarah Bennison raised £300 between them as they swam 10k (400 lengths), Louise led the way completing the distance in three hours six minutes, closely followed by Sarah, three hours 23 minutes.