A GROUP of keen swimmers looking to keep fit undertook a challenge to raise money to restore their favourite swimming pool.

Many of the partakers are members of the Save Grange Lido Swim Team, who meet weekly for a dip in Windermere from Fell Foot Park near Newby Bridge.

In aid of Save Grange Lido Ltd, dozens took to the water and pledged to swim a certain distance during a month, with distances ranging from 2400 metres up to 30,000 metres. The challenge took place wherever there was water - lidos, indoor pools, lakes, and tarns across the country.

More than £3000 was raised which will be used to progress plans towards the restoration of Grange Lido, a leisure complex with a 50 metre pool at its heart, found on the promenade in the town of Grange Over Sands.

Commenting on the experience, swimmer Matt Barker said: “Taking part in this event has undoubtedly changed the way I look after my health. Having a time limit to complete my 6,000 metre challenge caused me to take time out of my schedule to take care of myself.

"I will be taking part in the next swimming event and I encourage others to. You certainly won’t regret it”

The Save Grange Lido Swim Team are now preparing their Winter swim challenge for 2022 and thank everyone that took part in this year's event.

Heather Meek, the organiser, said: “I felt that after the stresses and strains of the last year and a half that our wonderful swimmers needed a challenge to keep their motivation going. The distance that everyone has swum has been an amazing personal challenge for each person, some experienced swimmers and some new to the sport this year.

"I am very grateful to everyone for the money raised and look forward to our winter challenge”