has raised in excess of $100,000 for charity.

This year, swimmers will be asking for donations to the Sunshine League before they set off on distances of one to six miles around Harrington Sound. And those who complete the gruelling six-mile leg of the staggered course which attracts almost 200 participants every year will be rewarded with an "elite'' T-shirt, organiser Mr. Reeve Trott said yesterday.

Prizes will be awarded to those who raised the most.

In past years, participants collected pledges but this year they are being asked to collect donations before the October 15 event and to handed them in with their entry forms.

This means organisers, Sharks Swim Club and Bermuda Open Water Swimmers, will present a cheque following the swim at Palmetto Bay to fund renovations at the Sunshine League's King Street building.

Mr. Trott, founder of the Bermuda Open Water Swimmers club, came up with the idea of swimming for charity after meeting veteran long distance swimmer Mr.

Shaun O'Connell of the Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association.

To train for the event, Mr. Trott swims up to four miles a week with his club which meets at 8 a.m. every Sunday at the Aquarium parking lot. Training is crucial he says to swim the six-mile-leg of the swimathon which takes over two hours and compares to a marathon, he said.

But even for those who are out of shape there is still a month to go to get ready, he says.

Entry forms are available at Sportseller and International Imports on Par-la-Ville Road for the swimathon which begins at the first starting point at the Aquarium at noon on Sunday, October 15.

SWIMMERS SWIMMING SWIM FUNDRAISERS FUNDRAISING