THE world’s biggest fundraising swim is back for another year, and Marie Curie Cancer Care is urging swimmers across the Vale and Cardiff to sign up for a new challenge for 2013.

Held at over 600 pools across the UK from April 26 to 28, the event sees thousands of swimmers challenge themselves through 5KM, 2.5KM and 1.5KM individual challenges, or team 5KM/1.5KM challenges, while raising funds to help Marie Curie nurses care for terminally ill people.

Locally people can take part at a number of sites, including Barry, Penarth and Llantwit Major leisure centres, Cardiff International Pool, and Splott.

Marie Curie Cancer Care local supporter Kate Evans said: “This is my third year taking part in the Marie Curie Swimathon event, and I’ve signed up to swim 5KM again.

“I’m hoping to better my time this year and I’m to aiming to raise as much money as I can for such a great cause.

“My grandpa was helped by the local Marie Curie hospice in his last few weeks and their support was incredible.

“Marie Curie helps so many people and this is my way of giving something back to such a worthy cause and enabling them to support others.”

Samantha Coles, community fundraiser for South East Wales, said: “Every year people across Cardiff and the Vale take on a Swimathon challenge and have a great time raising funds along the way. You can even choose to take part individually or as part of a team.

“This year we hope even more people will take the plunge and raise funds to help Marie Curie nurses provide more free nursing care to terminally ill people in their own homes.”

Swimmer entry is open at www.swimathon.org until April 24, 2013.