OCTOGENARIAN Thelma Dixon was among almost 50 people who took part in a 24-hour swimathon at Haltwhistle’s outdoor pool.

Age proved no barrier as the veteran made a significant contribution to the team event by swimming a mile.

Participants of all ages took part in timed sessions, with continuous swimming from 11am on Saturday until 11am on Sunday. The effort was to raise funds for the centre, which runs as an independent charity.

Centre manager Maxine Wilson said: “Collectively our swimmers fulfilled 3,111 lengths, which is the equivalent to 48.6 miles.

“Our aim was to swim the distance of the English Channel, at 21 miles. The event was well supported, and we managed to swim the equivalent of France and back.”

The 24-hour swimathon was followed by the centre’s annual swimming gala, which involved dozens of children from local schools.

Maxine added: “As always, the youngsters were very enthusiastic and they all seemed to enjoy themselves. Many of them took home trophies and medals, but it was a tremendous effort by all involved.”

GALA RESULTS

:5m Freestyle Boys – Reception: 1, Louie McKenna Grey. 5m Freestyle Girls – Reception: 1, Grace Dixon; 2, Iona west; 3, Jessica Findlay. 5m Freestyle Boys – Year 1: 1, Ryan James Dawson 2, Tyler Graham; 3, Mason Ward. 5m Freestyle Girls – Year 1: 1, Grace Pape; 2, Evie Thompson. 5m Freestyle Boys – Year 2: 1, Charlie McKenna Grey; 2, Billy Graham; 3, George Steel. 10m Freestyle Boys – Year 3: 1, Keidan Lowery; 2, Matty Thompson; 3, Bobby Crawford. 10m Freestyle Girls – Year 3: 1, Caitlin Dixon; 2, Neve West; 3, Rebecca Famelton Wardle. 25m Freestyle Boys – Year 4: 1, Conor Halliburton; 2, Tom Hymers; 3, Joe Bell. 25m Freestyle Girls – Year 4: 1, Kaitlyn Wigham; 2, Amy Brookes; 3, Ruby Worthington/Phoebe Davidson. Team Fun Event: 1, Night Ninjas; 2, Girls are the Best; 3, The Glitter Girls. 25m Breaststroke Boys – Years 5 & 6: 1, Kenzie Wall; 2, James Findlay. 25m Breaststroke Girls – Years 5 & 6: 1, Rachel Wanless; 2, Katie Bell; 3, Ruby McDonald. 25m Breaststroke Boys – Years 7 & 8: 1, Shay Lowery. 25m Breaststroke Girls – Years 7 & 8: 1, Lauren Graham; 2, Jodie Wigham; 3, Hannah Johnson. 25m Backstroke Boys – Years 5 & 6: 1, Jacob Gregson. 25m Backstroke Girls – Years 5 & 6: 1, Cara Halliburton. 25m Backstroke Girls – Years 7 & 8: 1, Jodie Wigham; 2, Jelly Dixon; 3, Lucy Smith. 25m Freestyle Boys – Years 5 & 6: 1, James Findlay; 2, Jacob Gregson. 25m Freestyle Girls – Years 5 & 6: 1, Cara Halliburton; 2, Rachel Wanless; 3, Kaitlyn Wigham. 25m Freestyle Girls - Years 7 & 8: 1, Maddison Snowball: 2, Lucy Smith; 3, Lauren Graham. 25m Freestyle Men’s Open: 1, Martyn Hutton; 2, Shaun Taylor; 3, Shay Lowery. 25m Butterfly Boys – Years 5 & 6: 1, Kenzie Wall. 25m Butterfly Boys – Years 7 & 8: 1, Shay Lowery. 25m Butterfly Girls – Years 7 & 8: 1, Maddison Snowball. 50m Freestyle – Years 5 & 6: 1, Cara Halliburton; 2, Rachel Wanless. 50m Freestyle – Years 7 & 8: 1, Shay Lowery; 2, Jodie Wigham; 3, Maddison Snowball. 3x25m Team Medley Yrs 5 & 8: 1, Dolphin Issues; 2, The Pineapples; 3, Wet & Wild. It’s a Knockout: 1, Dolphin Issues; 2, Wet & Wild; 3, Team Lucy.