They may call themselves the ‘Swim Old Gits’ but five friends are turning back the clock in Kent and proving age is no barrier with an epic charity swim.
All five – aged between 56 and 70 – met at Charitable Trust, Active Life, when they started swimming at Herons Leisure Centre.
They quickly struck up a friendship and when they decided to create a charity fundraising team for the 2026 Swimathon along came their tongue in cheek nickname.
In late March the team triumphed with a Swim 5k, raising £2,500 for Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie Cancer Care.
All five swimmers suffer from different health conditions, making the swim even more of a challenge. The team comprises:
The ‘Swim Old Gits’ began swimming at Herons Leisure Centre in 2025 and started forging their friendship when all five men discovered they were from a construction background, and some of them had previously lived in the same area of south London too.
The comradeship they went on to develop now brings them mutual inspiration, laughter and fitness as they juggle their medical conditions. They also enjoy the company of other swimmers, centre users and friendly staff. They have all started to use the gym too, which is having further positive impacts on their physical and mental health.
Team captain, Tony Smith, said of the challenge: “Meeting and exercising together at Herons Leisure Centre has changed our lives and given us a real sense of community.
“The Swimathon was a huge challenge for us, so we are delighted to have raised this money for two amazing charities.”
Karen Monticelli, General Manager at Herons Leisure Centre, added: “We are delighted that Tony, Simon, Kevin, Mark and Gerry met at Herons Leisure Centre and have developed such a strong bond.
“Being at the heart of the community is important to us and myself, and the rest of the team, look forward to supporting them as they take on their Swimathon challenge and we are sure they will do an amazing job!”
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