SWIMMERS came to Nottingham from all over the country on Saturday to help raise more than £50,000 for a cancer charity.
In baking sunshine at Holme Pierrepont's National Water Sports Centre, a record number of swimmers took part in the annual Big Swim event.
Now in its fourth year, Saturday's swim attracted more than 600 competitors and a portion of their £19 entry fee went straight to Cancer Research UK.
Among the swimmers at the starting line-up for the start of the 5,000-metre open water race was 60-year-old Val Thorp, of Derby.
Val's husband, Dave, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer four years ago and she was determined to complete the race in just an hour-and-a-half.
She said: "He is just coming out of his remission period now, which is brilliant. I think it's good to do events like this, and give a bit back.
"I've taken part in it for the past two years. It's a very well-run event and it's getting bigger every year.
"Everyone is so friendly and on a day like today – you can't better."
Event organiser 40-year-old Helen Gorman, said she expected the event to raise around £50,000 for cancer research.
"The is the most people we have ever had taking part in the swim – people have come from all over."
Helen, of Long Eaton, is the British record-holder for her age group in six swimming events and still competes for Nottinghamshire.
She organised the first Big Swim with her friend Ian Hamilton, also 40.
She said: "It's grown every year. The water sports centre is such a fantastic venue. It's great to see people enjoying it."
Competitors took part in one of three races – either 1,500 metres, 3,000 metres or 5,000m.
Alison Mackintosh, 40, of Prospect Road, Carlton, finished in second place in the 5k event.
She said: "I really enjoyed it. It was a long way and not having a lot of experience of open water made it a challenge.
"It's so different from swimming in a pool. You have no idea where you are in the field. I was surprised to hear that I'd come second."
The 5k race was won by Teresa Page, who finished in one hour and 14 minutes.
