A MONTH-long fund-raising challenge has been issued to swimmers at Oxford’s Barton Pool.

For the next four weeks, every time swimmers take a dip at the pool in Waynflete Road, £1 will be donated to a community fund for projects on the estate.

It is hoped the Barton Swim Challenge, which is launched today with an Aqua Splash Festival involving children from Bayards Hill Primary School, will raise more than £2,000.

Most of the money will be donated to the Barton Youth Football Club to improve training facilities.

The programme will run until Thursday, April 15, and is a joint initiative between the school, the Amateur Swimming Association, Oxford City Council, pool operator Fusion, NHS Oxfordshire, School Sports Partnership and Go Active, a campaign to improve fitness in Oxfordshire.

Bob Timbs, Oxford City Council’s executive member for leisure and sport, said the pool would be laying on extra sessions to get as many people to take part as possible.

He said: “This is a great event for the community and I would encourage people to get involved.”

Go Active’s Oxford co-ordinator Abbie Clare added: “It’s a great opportunity to remind people how fantastic Barton Pool really is.”

Bayards Hill pupils have been busy creating posters to let people know about the Swim Challenge.

Teacher Anneka Horne said: “We jumped at the chance to demonstrate how much we enjoy using Barton Pool, as well as encouraging the wider community to use it.

“We use Barton Pool on a regular basis for swimming lessons and we pride ourselves on our commitment to promoting the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including how exercise benefits our overall health and fitness.

“We can’t wait to get involved and get swimming, raising lots of money for community causes.”

Tomorrow night the fundraising effort will continue with an H20 disco for children aged between four and nine.

Every Friday night during the campaign there will be an Aqua Youth Club from 7pm to 8pm, including mini-polo, whacky races, flip ‘n’ fun and much more.

Adults will also benefit from extra sessions at the pool, including water workouts every Wednesday between 7pm and 7.45pm. The organisation Swimfit, which offers gym-style advice to swimmers, has produced a series of boards to help people plan their workout.

For more information about the effort, contact Ms Clare on aclare@oxford.gov.uk or 01865 252720.

Normal swimming sessions at the pool cost £3, and in order for the £1 donation to be made, swimmers must fill in a form at the venue.