Les Bourgs Hospice named beneficiary of landmark 50th Skipton Swimarathon
- Les Bourgs Hospice chosen as main beneficiary for 2026 Skipton Swimarathon in its landmark 50th year
- The hospice is celebrating its own 35th anniversary and relies on £2.8 million annual fundraising
- Event runs from 7-11 October 2026, continuing Guernsey's biggest community fundraising tradition
- Around 2,000 swimmers participate annually, having raised over £2 million in 49 years
- Organised by Guernsey Round Table and Lions Club, sponsored by Skipton International since 2010
Les Bourgs Hospice has been chosen as the main beneficiary for the 2026 Skipton Swimarathon, which this year marks its 50th anniversary.
The announcement brings together two significant local milestones, with the hospice also celebrating its 35th year of service to the Guernsey community.
Organised by Guernsey Round Table and Lions Club of Guernsey, the Skipton Swimarathon is a long-standing community fundraiser that brings islanders together in support of important local causes.
Les Bourgs Hospice provides compassionate, specialist, palliative care to patients, as well as vital support for their families. The hospice's work extends far beyond end-of-life care, offering expert pain and symptom management, and dedicated bereavement and wellbeing support.
The hospice relies entirely on fundraising to raise the £2.8 million a year it costs to provide comfort, dignity and relief from complex conditions.
John Stuart, Chair of the Skipton Swimarathon Organising Committee, said: "We are very pleased to name Les Bourgs Hospice as the main beneficiary for the 2026 Skipton Swimarathon. In this special 50th anniversary year, it feels particularly fitting to support an organisation that means so much to our community. The Skipton Swimarathon has always been about people coming together behind a shared cause, and we hope this year's event will help raise both funds and awareness for the vital support the hospice provides."
Pete Turner, Chief Operating Officer at Skipton International, said: "We are proud to continue supporting the Skipton Swimarathon in its 50th year and to help shine a light on the important work of Les Bourgs Hospice. The event reflects the best of Guernsey's community spirit, bringing together individuals, families, schools and businesses in a way that is inclusive, positive and purposeful."
Rob Jones, Chief Executive Officer at Les Bourgs Hospice, said: "We are honoured to have been chosen as the main beneficiary for the 2026 Skipton Swimarathon. This support will help us continue providing compassionate care to people with complex needs, while also supporting their families through what can often be very difficult times. It is also an opportunity to help more people understand the wider role hospice care can play in supporting dignity, comfort and wellbeing."
The 2026 Skipton Swimarathon will take place from Wednesday 7 to Sunday 11 October, continuing a long tradition of community fundraising in Guernsey. The event offers opportunities for islanders of all ages and backgrounds to participate.
The Swimarathon has a rich history dating back to 1977, when the Lions Club of Guernsey, Guernsey Round Table and Variety Club of Guernsey formed the first organising committee. The inaugural event saw 186 teams swim over 34 one-hour sessions, with just over 1,000 participants raising £19,900.
Over the past 49 years, the event has grown significantly and is now considered the island's greatest community fundraising event. Around 2,000 swimmers of all ages currently take part each year, helping to raise over £2 million for local good causes.
The event features various trophy categories including Finance, Professional, Legal, Hospitality, Churches, Clubs and Schools, competing for more than thirty trophies. There is also a Super Supporter Award Scheme to promote corporate participation and recognise teams that raise significant funds.
Since 2003, the tradition has been for Round Table and Lions Club to select a main beneficiary who receives donated funds as a priority before the clubs share any surplus. Skipton International became the event's sponsor in 2010.
Further details about this year's event and registration information will be shared in due course. Updates can be found by following the Skipton Swimarathon on Facebook.
Q&A
Q: When is the 2026 Skipton Swimarathon taking place?
A: The event runs from Wednesday 7 to Sunday 11 October 2026.
Q: How much does Les Bourgs Hospice need to raise annually?
A: The hospice relies entirely on fundraising to raise £2.8 million a year to provide its services.
Q: How much money has the Swimarathon raised over its history?
A: Over the past 49 years, the event has helped raise over £2 million for local good causes in Guernsey.
Comments ()