What is the Rotary MK Swimathon?

• It’s an annual fun day that’s raised over half a million pounds for local charities since 1994.
• Each year, between 7 and 9 local charities are identified to benefit from the Swimathon.
• 21 February 2026 will be Rotary MK’s 33rd Swimathon
• It’s free to enter and held at Wolverton Pool.
• 50+ teams of six swim on a relay basis for 55 minutes in a 25-metre pool.
• No special swimming ability is needed.
• Children of any age are welcome but must have parental permission.

The 2026 Charities

Ailsa’s Aim  

This is a rapidly growing Milton Keynes-based charity dedicated to supporting cancer patients and families with babies in neonatal care, both in hospital and at home. It provides free-of-charge essential care packs, radar keys, emotional support, and a low-cost community hub to ease financial and emotional pressures. Backed by passionate volunteers, Ailsa’s Aim is committed to expanding its reach and level of support to those who need it most.

Camphill

Camphill is a community of more than 70 adults with learning disabilities and autism, based predominantly in Willen Park and Pennyland. They engage in meaningful activities through their on-site theatre, bakery, weavery, pottery, vegetarian café and other workshops. With high demand for supported independent living for more people, Camphill MK has started a multi-million-pound building programme to expand its accommodation. Funds raised through the Swimathon will be used to continue to improve and upgrade facilities within Camphill’s existing accommodation.

Drug and Alcohol Family Support (DAFS)

This is a caring, not-for-profit charity created for families who are affected by a loved one’s addiction. The group is run by volunteers, all of whom have lived the experience of coping with an addicted loved one. It provides free regular local face-to-face meetings in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental environment so that people have an opportunity to be heard and to share experiences, fears and HOPE, connecting with others who are going through the same trauma.

Medical Detection Dogs

This charity trains dogs to detect diseases like cancer, pseudomonas and urinary tract infections, and to alert individuals with life-threatening conditions such as diabetes and postural tachycardia syndrome. Trained dogs save lives every day through their incredible sense of smell. Funds raised through the Swimathon will be used to train more dogs, support vital research, and expand the charity’s life-saving work. Every donation helps to give more people independence, early diagnosis, and hope for a healthier future.

MK Community Cardiac Group (Dicky Tickers)

MKCCG was founded in 1989 with the aim of providing appropriate exercise in a safe, friendly and community environment for local people who have heart disease, breathing issues or heart failure. Last year its volunteers won the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Money donated from the Swimathon will go towards keeping the membership fee as low as possible to make access to the group as wide as possible and for the purchase and maintenance of gym equipment.

MK Safety Centre (Hazard Alley)

The Safety Centre Hazard Alley, based in Kiln Farm, has been providing fun and immersive life-saving safety education for over 30 years. The funds raised from Swimathon 2026 will be key to keeping the safety scenario’s future focused. Supporting the charity’s continuing ambition to engage with 20,000 children, young people and adults on the themes of water, road, gas, railways and online safety, knife crime interventions and violence against women and girls.

MK Sea and Royal Marine Cadets

This charity gives young people the chance to learn new skills, build confidence, and take part in exciting activities on and off the water. From sailing, rowing, and paddlesports to adventure training and leadership development, cadets gain experiences that last a lifetime. Funds raised through the Swimathon will help to maintain the charity’s equipment, support training opportunities, and ensure more young people in Milton Keynes can benefit from everything MK Sea and Royal Marine Cadets has to offer.

Shay’s Smiles

This charity was established in memory of 13-year-old Shayen Patel, known to many as Shay, who passed away on 1st September 2020 following a diagnosis of Glioblastoma Multiforme. Despite his illness, Shay remained selfless, displaying remarkable kindness and a smile that inspired all who knew him. The charity was created to honour his legacy by supporting children and families during challenging times. Through meaningful initiatives and community-driven projects, Shay’s Smiles provides care, comfort, and positivity where it is needed most, ensuring Shay’s spirit continues to make a lasting impact.

Willen Hospice

The hospice provides free expert care and support for local people with a life-limiting illness and their loved ones. Most patients are cared for in their own home, enabling them to live well until they die, for however long that may be. The hospice’s community team, Willen at Home, is the only service of its kind in Milton Keynes, but it receives no NHS funding and is entirely funded by charitable donations. Rotary Swimathon fundraising will help pay for this vital service, which costs £1.4 million each year to run.

Raising the money

Each swimmer collects sponsorship from family, friends, work colleagues, corporate donations, etc. by:

• Online sponsorship via Just Giving, which claims 25% Gift Aid automatically for us on all eligible donations, and/or
• Using Rotary MK’s sponsorship form and bringing the money to the event or paying it into Rotary MK’s Swimathon bank account. The Club claims Gift Aid from HMRC. 
• The link to Just Giving and the Rotary Sponsorship Form will be available here from 1 November

• The 2026 Rotary Swimathon will be held on Saturday, 21 February at Wolverton Swimming and Fitness Centre, Addington Avenue, Wolverton, MK12 5GH.
• Each swimmer should be able to swim 50 metres. The length of the pool is 25 metres and although most swimmers only swim one length at a time, the water gets quite choppy.
• Please arrive at the pool 20 minutes before your swim time. Meet together in the foyer and if you are using sponsorship forms hand them over to your team captain.
• Team captains register their teams at the Swimathon reception desk and hand in all sponsorship forms. If any swimmer has a medical condition that needs reporting (e.g. epilepsy) please inform the receptionist.
• Team captains will be issued with a lane card which is handed to the pool manager at the pool entrance.
• Only swimmers and designated helpers can enter the pool area unless a child under 8 is swimming, in which case a parent/carer needs to accompany them in the pool. Spectators – including non-swimming team captains – please use the spectator area.
• When using the changing rooms, Wolverton pool recommend that you leave valuable belongings in the lockers provided. A £1 coin is required to operate the locker (refundable when the locker is emptied). A wristband with key is then released. Non-valuable clothing in a suitable bag can be brought to the poolside.
• After changing, all swimmers should assemble poolside and report to the pool manager’s desk. The team captain gives the lane card to the pool manager and decides at which end swimmers should stand and who swims first. The lanes will be clearly identified.
• In the interest of safety, all swimmers and spectators are asked to follow the Wolverton pool staff’s instructions. The pool manager and Swimathon stewards are also responsible for activities in the pool area and we ask that you please follow their instructions also.
• Free bottled water will be available at reception and poolside
• Refreshments are available adjacent to the spectator areas. It is not recommended to drink alcohol or take any drugs before swimming.
• A quick changeover is essential. Please help by leaving the pool area promptly after your swim, taking all your possessions with you.
• After the swim, team captains should collect a pack from the reception desk, which will contain swimmers’ returned sponsorship forms and certificates endorsing the numbers of lanes swum.

• No Rotarian receives any payment for their involvement in the Swimathon.
• No more than 5% of the sponsorship total is used to cover the major costs to run the Swimathon, such as trophies, certificates, medals, stationery and Just Giving membership.
• About 5% of the sponsorship total is transferred to Rotary MK’s charity fund to be used throughout the year to provide many small donations to local charities.
• About 90% is divided between the Milton Keynes charities selected for the year as listed on the sponsorship form. The size of the allocation to each charity is based upon the:            
  • Total sponsorship available                                                     
  • Sponsorship raised by the charity                                                        
  • Number of sponsored swimmers entered by the charity            
  • Amount required for the project the charity wishes to undertake           
  • Amount of additional support the charity provides on Swimathon day (e.g. lane clicking).

A charity will always receive in excess of the total sponsorship raised by their own teams.