Swimmers of all abilities are being urged to take part in a 30-day charity challenge in the Lake District.

The challenge is called ‘Around the Bays in 80 Days’, and is to raise funds for outdoor activities charity Lake District Calvert Trust.

It tasks participants to swim in 30 bays listen on a map around the Lakes, which include Pooley Bridge on Ullswater, Fell Foot on Windermere, Barrow Bay on Derwentwater, Rydal Water and Loweswater.

Running from June 1 to August 19 this year, the charity is expecting high levels of interest, with local swimming group, the Sunset Skinnies, already supporting the event.

Yvonne Booth, fundraising officer for the charity, said: “We are encouraging everyone taking part to swim, dip or paddle as much or as little as they want - it might be one stroke in every bay or a longer swim from location to location in the same lake.

“It’s all about having fun.

“For wild swimmers wanting a more testing challenge, the 30 Bays can be completed in 30 days or even 30 hours.”

Stacey Turnbull, senior regional communities manager for holidaycottages.co.uk, which is sponsoring the challenge, said: “Our staff make the most out of living and working in this incredible part of the country, and we want everyone to be able to experience the joy of being in the great outdoors too.

“Not only that but swimming, paddling and even just dipping your toes into open water has so many benefits.

“We hope to see many locals and visitors getting involved with this event, seeing more of the Lake District, and supporting a charity which does fantastic work in our community.”

To register for the challenge, visit https://calvertlakes.org.uk/events/around-the-bays-in-80-days-2023/.

On registering, participants will be issued with a fundraising pack and a branded swimming cap.

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