LOCAL swimmers and charity fundraisers are urged to make waves and sign up for Butlins Swimathon 2003 as soon as possible, or risk missing the boat.

Horwich Leisure Centre is one of more than 550 pools participating in the event across the UK from March 17 to 23.

Local swimmers will be joining 40,000 others attempting to raise more than £2 million for leading cancer care charity, Macmillan Cancer Relief and the Swimathon Foundation.

To sign up register at www.swimathon.org or phone the Butlins Swimathon 2003 hotline on 0845 36 700 36 (local rate).

Closing date for postal and email entries is Tuesday, March 11 and Friday, March 14 for online and credit card entries. Horwich Leisure Centre is holds two Swimathon sessions: Sunday, March 23, 12 noon-4pm and 4pm-8pm.

Participants can sign up for one of seven challenges -- Swimathon (individual 5,000m), Half Swimathon (individual 2,500m), Relay Swimathon (5,000m for four people), Fun Swimathon (individual 1,500m), Team Swimathon (team of up to six people swimming 5,000m) or Simply Swim (for those that want to take part, but cannot make any of the official Swimathon Sessions) and new this year, Endurance Swimathon (individual 10,000m).

Chris Jackson, Manager of Horwich Leisure Centre said: "Our sessions are filling up quickly, so anyone who hasn't already entered and wants to take part needs to fill in an entry form without delay to avoid disappointment.

"Swimathon is a fun way to do something that's personally challenging while helping others at the same time."

Since the event's inception 17 years ago, more than 440,000 people have taken part, swimming a total of more than 554,600 miles -- the equivalent of swimming round the Earth 22 times! In doing so Swimathon swimmers have raised almost £20 million for 32 charities.

Further information on Swimathon 2003 at Horwich Leisure Centre is from Carol Pilling on 334459 or the Swimathon 2003 Press Office on 020 7745 3317.

Team proves match for anyone

A GROUP of young lads from the Blackburn Road Community of Bolton, given the opportunity to play in a Sunday evening 7 a side league, when another team dropped out, have enjoyed success ever since.

They were given their chance at Burnden Youth Complex 18 months ago, by the Education & Culture, Health Sports & Inclusion Team and joined the tournament midway through the season. Since then they finished runners up in their first full season and have gone on to win the tournament twice.

With confidence high they joined the Sunday Premier 5's league in November 2002 and finished third in their first season, a point behind the Champions.

In addition to their football success, members of the team are also involved in community activities, raising the profile of the Blackburn Road Community by closely working with Bolton Council, Educational & Culture's Inayat Omarji.

Many young people from the local community have completed courses such as First Aid, EMBS introduction to youth work and training in volunteer stewarding for the Commonwealth Games. Some have even found employment through Blackburn Road FC.

This year, members of the BRFC team are looking forward to completing a Level 1 Coaching Certificate, with the aim to progress further and eventually encourage young members of the community to follow in their own footsteps.

BRFC also participates in local and national 5 a side and 7 a side competitions. This year they will also be looking at participating in the Abdul Valli Cup in Preston Sports Arena. The main aim this year is to evaluate the team's progress. With some funding secured via the Neighbourhood Renewal Funds a weekend away is planned in July to London, looking at the achievements of the team in the last 18 months and the way forward. Whilst in London, they will also compete in the Annual Asian Sports promotional 5 a side football competition in Wembley. The football competition brings together the best Asian football talent in one arena, with the added incentive of professional footballers offering guidance and suport, and scouting for the future of English football by major football clubs such as Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester United.

So you never know, you could be seeing one of these young lads playing in the Premiership in the future.

WINNING TEAM: Inayat Omarji, of Bolton Metro Education & Culture (left) with Blackburn Road Community of Bolton players

Sport forum re-launch

THE Bolton Forum for Sport re-launch takes place at Bolton Arena on Wednesday, March 19, 6.30pm.

The Forum presents its Volunteer Investment Programme Award, Lifetime Achievement Award and Bolton Disability Sports Association's Young Disabled Sports Achiever at its re-launch.

Following the awards, there will be presentations by guest speakers from Sport England, Bolton Metro Education & Culture, Bolton CVS/Volunteer Bureau and Meridian Sports Science. The topics covered include funding opportunities, volunteer recruitment and the vision for the future of sport in Bolton.

After the formal presentations, there will be an opportunity to talk to the guest speakers.

Refreshments will be served from 6.30pm and 7.15pm prior to proceedings. For further information or to receive an invitation contact: Sue Woodham, Secretary on 334025 or Andrew Shaw, Treasurer on 591194.