DOZENS of people will take the plunge at Darlington's Dolphin Centre. The leisure centre will host the local leg of Swimathon, the largest sponsored swimming event in Europe.
The challenge, sponsored by Butlins, will take place on Saturday and Sunday with about 200 people swimming anything from a few lengths to 10,000 metres.
Money raised will go to Macmillan Cancer Relief and the Swimathon Foundation, which offers funding grants for charities with swimming interests.
Funds raised this year in the Darlington event for Macmillan Cancer Relief will be used within the County Durham area.
Among the entrants will be six-year-old Jamie Hall, Emily Elliott, Susan Elliot-Lyall, Lucy Elliott and Wally Elliott - five generations of a Darlington family.
The event will also be a landmark for 78-year-old Mary Slater, who is taking part in her tenth swimathon.
Individuals will swim on Saturday, with the team event on Sunday.
Twenty-six volunteers took to the water last Sunday and raised £600 for Darlington Association on Disability to mark the European Year of Disabled People.
The money will help Dad's five play schemes, which are used by more than 200 children in the town.
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