 |
Edinburgh swimmers complete ‘Victorian Pool Crawl’ across five historic pools, raising over £40,000
13 May 2026
Sixty-one Edinburgh swimmers completed Edinburgh Leisure’s aquathlon-style Victorian Pool Crawl last month, walking 16km and swimming 5km across Edinburgh Leisure’s five historic Victorian pools, raising more than £40,000 for the Active Communities programme.
The challenge, sponsored by Landmarc Support Services, began at Dalry Swim Centre (est. 1895) before continuing through Warrender Swim Centre (est. 1887), Glenogle Swim Centre (est. 1899), and Leith Victoria Swim Centre (est. 1900), finishing at Portobello Swim Centre (est. 1901). Edinburgh Leisure also hosted its Great Lengths exhibition, highlighting the history of the city’s Victorian pools and bathhouses.
The Victorian Pool Crawl was conceived in 2025 by a regular swimmer from Leith Victoria Swim Centre as a community fundraising challenge. After the inaugural event, the challenge became an official Edinburgh Leisure fundraiser, growing from 13 participants in 2025 to 61 this year.
Among the original 13-strong team was Marek Bernat, aged 49, who learned to swim at Dalry Swim Centre in 2019. Despite having found completing the final lane tough last year, it was also extremely rewarding. So much so that Marek and two of the original group returned this year with a new team of ‘Leith Victorians’ who collectively raised over £5,500.
A year ago, Landmarc employee Tamsin Gee wouldn’t have imagined taking on a half-marathon-distance challenge. By her own admission, she was “allergic to exercise”. One year on, she celebrated completing this year’s event alongside colleagues and friends at Portobello Swim Centre—an achievement she described as huge. “It was a fantastic day, seamlessly organised and such fun to take part in,” she said.
Kevin Kneeshaw, Landmarc’s Regional Operations Manager for Scotland and Northern Ireland said: “At Landmarc, we are passionate about supporting initiatives that make a real difference locally. The Victorian Pool Crawl not only celebrates Edinburgh's heritage but also helps break down barriers to being active. It has been fantastic to be part of such a positive and impactful event.”
The event’s top fundraiser Frederick Phillips sees first-hand the impact this fundraising has for local people. He volunteers with Edinburgh Leisure’s Ageing Well project as a ‘Buddy Swimmer’, supporting older people to enjoy swimming which Frederick says, “transforms lives by supporting physical health, reducing isolation and opening up opportunities that simply wouldn’t exist otherwise.”
Adam Shaffer, Events & Individual Giving Fundraiser at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “This was a great event to organise, drawing on colleagues’ expertise and enthusiasm for getting people active. It was brilliant to see so many people turning out to cheer on the swimmers and support our charitable mission.”
Rachael McCrea, Head of Fundraising at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “Every pound raised helps remove financial, health and disability barriers that stop people getting active. We’re so grateful to our incredible participants whose efforts have raised over £40,000, and over the course of the day demonstrated how taking part in physical activity improves health, wellbeing and builds communities.”
All funds raised support Active Communities, Edinburgh Leisure’s programme tackling inequalities and inactivity. Active Communities supports around 14,700 people a year, including people affected by health conditions, disability, poverty and other barriers to physical activity.
Edinburgh Leisure is a charity dedicated to helping people lead more active, healthy lives. With 75 sport, leisure and school venues across the city, it creates opportunities for everyone to get active and stay active.
back
|
| Latest member news |
 |
|
GLL Literary Foundation marks first year success at the House of Lords
Charitable social enterprise GLL brought together invited guests from across
Parliament, local government, national sector bodies, cultural organisations, the
literary community and sports bodies at a celebration to mark the successful first
year of the GLL Literary Foundation.
read more...
New brochure explains the benefits of the charitable trust model as part of local government reorganisation
Community Leisure UK has produced a new booklet for Local Authorities who are in
the process of becoming a Unitary Authority. Titled “How Charities and Social Enterprises can deliver
efficient, effective and people-focused public leisure and culture services” it features case studies from
CLUK’s membership including Lincs Inspire, Horizon Leisure Trust and Circadian.
read more...
South Downs Leisure begins major £2 million Worthing Leisure Centre redevelopment
South Downs Leisure (SDL) has officially begun a major £2 million redevelopment of
Worthing Leisure Centre, with the first phase of works now underway at the popular
multi-purpose facility.
read more...
Newport Live’s Aspire Programme a ‘game-changer’ for young people
Newport Live’s Aspire programme has celebrated another successful year with its
Annual Record of Achievement event, held at The Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre. The event recognised
the achievements of students within the Aspire programme which is Newport Live’s alternative education
programme delivered in partnership with Newport City Council.
read more...
|
|
Barnsley Premier Leisure Chair awarded MBE for services to the community in Barnsley
Barnsley Premier Leisure (BPL) is proud to announce that its Chair, Valerie Mills,
has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition
of her outstanding services to the community in Barnsley.
read more...
Edinburgh upgrade set to strengthen athletics
A major improvement project at Saughton Sports Complex will help safeguard
athletics provision in west Edinburgh and create a stronger future for local
clubs, schools and community users.
read more...
Care-experienced young people represent Newport at national football tournament
Care-experienced young people supported by Newport City Council recently took part
in a national football tournament at MK Dons Stadium in Milton Keynes, enjoying a
memorable opportunity to compete at a prestigious venue.
read more...
Abbeycroft work with partners to ensure Dementia Hub expands
The Dementia Hub, run by Memories Are Golden at Haverhill Leisure Centre, has been
extended, increasing weekly capacity from 60 to 90 people.
read more...
Long-term leisure partnerships set to strengthen health and wellbeing across Adur and Worthing
South Downs Leisure has confirmed the extension of its leisure contracts with both
Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council to 21 years, marking a major
long-term commitment to community leisure, health and wellbeing across the area.
read more...
|
| Business partner news |
|
|
|
|
07 Jul 2026
X-Club gears up to open its flagship site in central London
Luxury boutique Pilates and wellness studio, X-Club, officially launches a
4,000sq ft flagship at
Marylebone on 16 July Built around X-Club’s four pillars of wellness – mind,
movement,
nutrition and therapy – the facility features two group exercise studi
read more...
03 Jul 2026
Industry veterans partner to launch women-only strength brand, LiftHer
An ambitious women’s-only strength and lifting studio concept is set to launch in Dallas this
September, with a wider US rollout already in active development.
read more...
02 Jul 2026
Omnigym collaborates on an outdoor gym for homeless people
Finnish outdoor fitness equipment specialist, Omnigym, has partnered with charity, Emmaüs
Solidarité, to launch an outdoor gym installation at a homeless shelter in Paris.
read more...
02 Jul 2026
Virgin Active opens social wellness club in London's Mayfair
Virgin Active has officially opened its redesigned Mayfair club, unveiling its latest Social Wellness Club and
signalling a significant evolution of its proposition.
read more...
|
|
01 Jul 2026
Steve Nelson promoted to MD of Serco Leisure
Steve Nelson takes up the role of managing director of Serco Leisure today (1 July 2026),
following 18 years with the company where he has progressed through many roles, most
recently director of leisure.
read more...
30 Jun 2026
Myzone report shows importance of longevity and social connection
Longevity is the most important motivator for today’s exercisers and social connection is key,
according to a report by Myzone.
read more...
29 Jun 2026
Industry mourns the loss of Les Mills, a founding father of fitness
Les Mills, whose name became synonymous with one of the world's leading fitness brands, has
passed away peacefully at the age of 91.
read more...
26 Jun 2026
HCM News: Taking GLP-1s is linked to a decline in physical activity
People taking GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound
may be losing weight, but they’re also becoming less physically active, according to new
research presented at the ENDO 2026 annual meeting of the Endocrine Society
read more...
|
|
|
|
| General Meetings & Events |
 |
|
AGM: Glasgow
25 November 2026
|
SERIOUSLY SOCIAL AWARDS
25 November 2026
|
| Regional Meetings |
|
|
Wales
16 July 2026
|
| Special Interest Groups |
|
|
iTrent
3 August 2026
|
Health Scotland
11 August 2026
|
Sales & Retention
18 August 2026
|
|
For more information about Special Interest Group and regional / national members meetings, please contact [email protected]
|
|
