Bolton Metro Swimming Squad swim from 'London to Paris'

Bolton swimmers made a real splash after they swum the distance from London to Paris.

Bolton Metro Swimming Squad (BMSS) members took to the pool at The Jason Kenny Centre to swim the distance from Lord’s Cricket Ground, London to Paris, France.

And the team ripped up the pool and swam 13,804 lengths of the 25m pool, or 214 miles, under the five-hour time limit.

They undertook the challenge to raise funds and awareness for The Ruth Strauss Foundation, after one of BMSS’ swimmers recently lost their dad to non-smoking lung cancer, and for their squad.

BMSS (Image: BMSS)

Members started the event with the British national anthem and ended with the French national anthem once they had reached Paris.

Volunteers were on hand to count each swimmer’s lengths, provide them with food and drink to keep them energised, ensure the team remained on target and cheer them on and keep them going so that they reached their goal.

Assistant Head Coach, Antony Evitts, who joined the team for part of the journey, said: “An unbelievable effort from everyone involved, some swimmers swimming over 10km in the time is absolutely amazing.

“The support from the volunteers giving everyone the push to keep going was brilliant.”

Little Jos completing his 14 lengths (Image: BMSS)

Caitlin Gibson, a performance level swimmer said: “I just had to keep going, at first it’s what we normally do, then the pain came, I pushed through that and was able to settle into it.”

The BMSS committee members created a great atmosphere around the pool with Olympic flags, torches and rings, French and British flag bunting, a balloon arch in the squad colours and even an Eiffel Tower to make the day fun and positive through a difficult swim for everyone in the water.

A family affair, coaches, parents, grandparents, and siblings of the BMSS squad swimmers all joined in, with some cheering and even some swimming as part of the team.

Refuelling between swims (Image: BMSS)

Aryan Nunkoo, aged 12, said: “I’m amazed that we completed the distance, even though my arms are now aching, the pain was worth it.”

With £6,095 already having been raised, donations are still welcomed until May 31. To donate, visit this link: https://fundraising.boltonmetro.com/Event/OlympicsFundraiser

Anyone who is interested in becoming part of BMSS can get in touch with the club through their website https://boltonmetro.com/ or visit a training session and speak with a coach.