SSAFA Gibraltar’s 24-Hour Swimathon Returns
The 24-Hour Swimathon returns to Gibraltar on 26 August, raising funds for SSAFA Gibraltar.
A statement from SSAFA follows below:
Following the huge success of last year’s event, Gibraltar’s Armed Forces community is preparing to take to the water once again for the 24-Hour Group Swimathon, raising funds for SSAFA Gibraltar.
The challenge begins at 2pm on Wednesday 26 August at HELM Point Pool and will continue non stop for 24 hours, finishing at 2pm on Thursday 27 August.
Last year’s inaugural event saw swimmers complete an extraordinary 9,036 laps, covering 225,900 metres – almost 226 kilometres. To put that into local perspective, that is the equivalent of swimming around the Rock almost 19 times.
The event also raised more than £1,000 for SSAFA Gibraltar, but its success went well beyond fundraising. It brought together people from across Gibraltar’s Armed Forces community for 24 hours of teamwork, encouragement and shared endeavour - with calls for the event to return beginning almost as soon as it had finished.
Once again, the Swimathon is designed to be inclusive rather than exclusively an endurance challenge.
It is open to all Military ID and MOD card holders, with no HELM Pool pass required for the event. The only minimum swimming requirement is the ability to swim 50 metres unassisted.
Participants can swim at their own pace and choose their own challenge - whether that means swimming 50 metres, completing a few lengths, or testing themselves over a much greater distance.
The event is once again being organised by PO Gemma Ellis, whose drive and commitment were instrumental in making last year’s Swimathon such a success.
Alan Jones, Chair of SSAFA Gibraltar, said:
“Last year’s Swimathon was an extraordinary achievement. Swimming almost 226 kilometres and raising more than £1,000 for SSAFA was fantastic, but for me the real success was seeing our community come together around the pool throughout those 24 hours.
“SSAFA is, of course, here to provide practical, emotional and financial support when people need us, but strengthening connections and bringing our Armed Forces community together is also hugely important. The Swimathon captured that perfectly.
“Perhaps the greatest testament to its success was how many people asked almost immediately whether it would happen again. We are therefore absolutely delighted that Gemma has taken on the challenge for a second year.
“Organising something of this scale requires an enormous amount of work, leadership and determination, and we are incredibly grateful to Gemma for everything she has done to make it possible.
“Now we need people to get involved. You don’t have to be an endurance swimmer - if you can swim 50 metres unassisted, you can contribute. Whether it is two lengths or 200, every metre adds to the collective total.
“And for those who can’t take part, we would love you to get behind the swimmers by supporting the event and helping us raise as much as possible for SSAFA Gibraltar.”
The Swimathon costs £5 to enter, with the first 50 people to pre-register receiving a free BBQ coupon and commemorative gift. A BBQ for participants and supporters will mark the completion of the challenge on Thursday afternoon.
SSAFA Gibraltar is part of SSAFA’s global network supporting the Armed Forces community. Run locally by volunteers, the Gibraltar Service Committee supports serving personnel and families posted to Gibraltar, as well as members of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment and their families, through practical, emotional and financial support, welfare advice, grants and activities that strengthen social connections.
Event details
• 24-Hour Group Swimathon
• 26–27 August 2026
• 14:00 Wednesday – 14:00 Thursday
• HELM Point Pool
• Open to all Military ID and MOD card holders
• No pool pass required
• £5 charity donation to enter
• Minimum requirement: ability to swim 50m unassisted
• BBQ on completion
Participants can register using the link below
https://tinyurl.com/2026-Swimathon
Not swimming? You can still be part of it
Those unable to take part in the pool can support the challenge by donating to SSAFA Gibraltar.
Every donation, large or small, helps SSAFA Gibraltar continue supporting members of our local Armed Forces community through practical, emotional and financial support, welfare assistance and activities that help bring the community together.
Donate directly to SSAFA Gibraltar here:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/2026-24hr-swimathon-gib
And if swimming really isn’t your thing…
Prefer running shoes to swimming goggles?
Stay tuned. Another important SSAFA Gibraltar event announcement is coming next week… Media Information
Members of the media are warmly invited to come along and cover the 24-Hour Swimathon during the event. We can also arrange for SSAFA representatives, event organisers and participating swimmers to be available for interviews, photographs and filming wherever operationally possible.
The Swimathon runs from 14:00 on Wednesday 26 August until 14:00 on Thursday 27 August, providing opportunities for coverage throughout the challenge as well as at the start and the final stages of the event.
We would be delighted to welcome local media and help you tell the story of the people taking part, the challenge they are attempting and the Armed Forces community they are supporting.
For media attendance, interview requests or further information, please contact SSAFA Gibraltar to arrange access to HELM Point Pool at a suitable time during the 24-hour challenge.
