MEMBERS of Weymouth Swimming Club took the plunge in tribute to one of its former coaches.

The club was moved to hold their first fundraising swimathon in memory of Alistair Knight who died of cancer last year, the day after his 37th birthday.

Members of the club were able to hand £7,472 to Weldmar Hospicecare Trust, which cares for cancer patients, following the event.

The event began with Mr Knight’s eight-year-old daughter Lauren swimming the first 50 metres.

Lauren’s sister Kaitlyn, six, then led the children’s groups for the first stage of the 24 hour event which saw more than 400 people aged between six to 73-years-old do their bit to raise money.

Jeff Jones, from Weymouth Swimming Club, said: “When Alistair was alive we discussed doing an event for Children in Need but when he was taken ill and died fairly quickly afterwards we decided to change it to something more fitting as a memorial to Alistair.

“We decided Lauren would be the best person to start it off and then her younger sister started the groups off.”

He added: “Everyone thought they would try to give something back to Weldmar for looking after Alistair in his final hours, so everyone took part because of that.

“On behalf of the swimming club I would like to thank all the sponsors and supporters, particularly Ultra Electronics and SLM who helped us to raise such a huge sum of money.”

The Swimathon saw every member of Weymouth Swimming Club completing at least a 50 metre stretch in the pool.

Twenty people also took turns in swimming throughout the night.

Teams from Sports Leisure Management, which runs the Weymouth pool, nurses and administrative staff from Weldmar Hospicecare Trust and families took part.

Alistair’s former employers Ultra Electronics sponsored the event, which included a raffle with cash prizes donated from local businesses.

SLM gave the pool and staff time for free.

Caroline Nickinson from Weldmar Hospicecare said: “We are truly grateful to everyone for this amazing donation. To everyone who organised the event, took part in it and also to the sponsors and supporters.

“They may be assured that their efforts will be used to help patients and their families in their time of need.”