Q. How many people in a team ?
A. a team can consist of up to 8 swimmers plus your non swimming team captain. Junior teams may consist of up to 8 swimmers PLUS A MANDATORY adult non-swimming captain.
Q. How long does a team have to swim ?
A. Teams swim during each hour and each team will swim for 55 minutes, leaving 5 minutes for changeovers. Adult teams should complete (1 Lap = 2 lengths of the pool). There can be special arrangements for younger children to swim 1 length of the pool.
Q. How much of the sponsorship money raised by a team will be donated to the teams chosen charity ?
A. A minimum of 50% of the sponsorship raised will go to the teams chosen charity. Historically the percentage of the money raised by a team has been higher than 50%, but the final figure can only be calculated when all the sponsorship money has been received by Windsor Lions, and we have finalised our costs for staging the event.
Q. How does Windsor Lions use their share of the sponsorship money ?
A. Money is held in the Lions Community fund, and used to help primarily local causes. The following is a sample of recent contributions made by Windsor Lions: -
World Challenge, Electric Eels Swimming Club, Thames Valley Adventure Playground (TVAP), Windsor Ascot Maidenhead District Sports Association for the Disabled (WAMDSAD), Cancer Research, Royal British Legion (Poppy Appeal) -Wreath, Household Cavalry - Benevolent Fund.
Q. When does the sponsorship money have to be paid ?
A. By the weekend of the second Saturday in November. Cheque to be made payable to: Windsor Lions Club.
Q. When is the sponsorship money given to the team’s nominated charity ?
A. Donation are made during an Awards Evening in the January after the Swimathon. Teams are invited to the Awards Evening to receive, a cheque for their charity and team certificates.
Q. How are swim times arranged ?
A. If you wish to swim at a particular time please return the form quickly as times will be allocated on a “first come, first served” basis. On receipt of a completed entry form, your swim time will be confirmed, together with allocated swim lane or lanes, and sponsorship arrangements - either online ‘Just Giving’ or via Sponsorship Forms.
Q. At what age will a young person require a parental consent form ?
A. A parental consent form has to be completed for all swimmers aged sixteen or under on day of the Swimathon.
Q. Can Windsor Lions claim Gift Aid ?
A. Yes, either by swimmers setting up an online ‘just Giving’ website, or if sponsorship is being raised using the Sponsorship form, the sponsors should be asked to tick the ‘gift aid’ column. Note; the sponsor must be pay income tax or capital gains tax equal to the tax deduction from this donation.