Devon Air Ambulance Trust
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ASA Agatha Christie Sea Swim Officially Launched
Added on: 28 July 2010
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A sponsored swim on the 120th anniversary of peerless crime writer Agatha Christie is to take place in Torbay as part of the BBC Radio Devon Appeal, raising funds for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT).
The mile long swim, which is open to serious and fun swimmers alike, follows a stunning route along the coastline of Paignton, between the beaches of Goodrington and Broadsands, taking in some of the favourite swimming spots of Dame Agatha herself.
DAAT’s Fundraising Director Caroline Creer said: “We are taking the BBC Radio Devon’s Air Ambulance Appeal to all parts of the county and a swim associated with the English Riviera’s most famous citizen seemed like a wonderful way to celebrate her life and raise funds at the same time.
“Agatha Christie was born in Torquay, was married there and spent her honeymoon night in the Grand Hotel. You can identify many of the locations and features of the Bay in her books, so we thought it an ideal opportunity to hold this swim in a place she would have known well and to stage the event on her birthday.
“We want as many people as possible to enter the swim and make it a spectacle to cherish and remember.”
The charity swim will take place on Sunday 19th September and will start at 12.30pm with waves of swimmers going off at regular intervals. Another set of waves will go off from 2.30pm, culminating in a festival atmosphere at Broadsands where a 1930s party complete with jazz band and hog roast awaits swimmers, with vintage buses available to take them back to their own vehicles, as well as bring spectators to the end.
There is a £20 entrance fee and, although no one is obliged to fundraise, those wishing to do so will be offered a sponsor pack or details of how to set up an online one.
Caroline Creer added: “We would particularly like to thank the family of Agatha Christie who have been very supportive of this event along with Sophie Pierce of BBC Radio Devon and Matt Newbury of the Tourism Board who came up with the idea of the swim and are delighted to also be working in partnership with the ASA (Amateur Swimming Association). Torbay Council, the English Riviera Tourist Board, Paignton Harbour Master John Turner and, of course, BBC Radio Devon are all also instrumental in getting this event off the ground.”