Fareham's Pride Swim supports national LGBTQIA+ charity

Fareham Leisure Centre is set to host a Pride Swim on July 6.

The event is part of a series of nationwide swims launched at the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships earlier this year.

The organisers, Out & Wild Events, IMPROPER Agency and aquatics club Out to Swim, hope to encourage inclusion and support participants' physical and mental health.

The event will also raise funds for Switchboard, the national LGBTQIA+ Support Line celebrating its 50th year.

Supported by Swim England and London Marathon Events, the initiative involves leading leisure operator Everyone Active, which runs the centre with Fareham Borough Council.

From 4pm to 5.30pm, swimmers get to choose their distance and will receive a medal and a downloadable certificate.

The Centre has planned for floats, toys and inflatables as part of the session.

Ryan Grant, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: "We look forward to welcoming the local community for this exciting and inclusive event. This is a fantastic opportunity for people to enjoy our state-of-the-art facilities, while improving their physical health and wellbeing and raising money for a brilliant cause."

Founder of Pride Swim and Out & Wild Festival, Polly Shute, said: "These events are a great way to bring communities together, with a real focus on wellbeing. We have worked hard with our partners to ensure the swims are open to all, including families as well as adults and that they embrace the whole LGBTQ+ community and allies."

CEO of Switchboard, Steph Fuller, said: "We are delighted to be working with Pride Swim on these events and encouraging people, whatever their body or prior experience, to enjoy taking part in swimming."