Local swimmer takes on 24-hour challenge in aid of two national charities

Keen swimmer Colin Westgate, who’s been using Wyndley Leisure Centre for over 40 years, will be taking on his latest charity challenge this December. Swimming for 24-hours Colin hopes to raise money for the Midlands Air Ambulance and the RNLI

.Colin started swimming at the centre back in 1978, and manages to get in three or four swims every week. He actually used to swim competitively for the Military back in the 1980s.

“Swimming is such a fantastic all-round exercise! This place is like a second home to me, and the team here have been so supportive in helping me set up my 24-hour challenge”, Colin said.

Both charities are ones close to his heart, but he chose them for differing reasons.

“2024 is RNLI’s 200th anniversary, and as a water-based charity, a swimming pool challenge felt an appropriate way for me to show my support for an organisation that does such vital, life-saving work around the UK coast.

“My second charity is the Midlands Air Ambulance (MAA). I chose this one as during my military career, I witnessed a few incidents that required MAA support, and always came away very impressed by the professionalism and skill of the teams involved.”

Mark Reynolds, Contract Manager for Birmingham Community Leisure Trust (BCLT), which manages the centre and eight others across the city, said: “To swim for that length of time will be some achievement, so all the best to Colin for his big pre-Christmas charity challenge.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the BCLT team members who are giving up their time for free so that Colin is able to swim for the full 24 hours at Wyndley Leisure Centre.”

Colin will begin his swim on Saturday December 21 st at 8am.

To donate to either of his chosen charities, he has set up two Just Giving pages:

Colin Westgate is fundraising for RNLI - Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Colin Westgate is fundraising for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity