World record attempt success for leisure centre

A team of staff, instructors and supporters at Maldwyn Leisure Centre in Newtown have beaten the existing Guinness World Record for the distance covered in a marathon pool rescue.

The world record attempt took place on Friday throughout the day between 6am and 11.30pm as a rota of swimmers swam with a rescue dummy in lengths of the pool.

While the record is yet to be verified officially by the Guinness Book of Records, the centre team managed 1,484 lengths and 37,100 metres. The previous record was 30,000 metres.

"I'm very proud of everyone who has taken part in the event. It's a great achievement and we hope we'll have official recognition of the record soon," said Denise Hazlewood, manager at Maldwyn Leisure Centre.

Mathew Savage, who helped organise the event with colleagues, said: "It's been amazing. We'd like to thank everyone who has been involved in any way."

The centre is raising money in aid of the British Heart Foundation and donations can be made via https://www.justgiving.com/mathew-savage-wibi-0588.