Swimmers in Islington and Bath & North East Somerset will dive into the world's biggest fundraising swim at Aquaterra leisure centres between 27 - 29 April 2012.

They will take on one of the five Swimathon Weekend 2012 challenges, raising money for either Marie Curie Cancer Care or Sport Relief.

Bath Sports and Leisure Centre has already recruited 71 swimmers and currently has the highest number of registrants in the South West region. Other participating centres are Keynsham Leisure Centre, South Wansdyke Sports Centre, Culverhay Sports Centre, Highbury Pool and Fitness Centre and Cally Pool.

Swimathon Weekend 2012 hits 645 pools across the UK, from 27-29 April. In its 25th Anniversary, Swimathon has joined forces with British Swimming and the BBC's Big Splash, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Sport Relief, to promote what is hoped will be the biggest Swimathon Weekend ever. The Swimathon Weekend 2012 will give thousands of swimmers the opportunity to raise vital funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care through Swimathon's established Distance Challenges and for Sport Relief through the new 'Big Splash Mile'.

Model Jodie Kidd and London 2012 Ambassador Duncan Goodhew launched the event early in the New Year by swimming the first two lengths at London's Oasis Sports Centre.

Swimathon Weekend President Duncan Goodhew said: "We all know that sports such as swimming will enjoy their time in the limelight this year. 2012 also being our 25th Anniversary year, we'd love to add to the half a million people who have taken part in the event so far, to dive into pools up and down the country. These amazing people have raised more than £34 million for charity to date and, by teaming up with the Big Splash, we're aiming to raise record amounts for not one but two important charities."

Karen Smulovic, Manager of Bath Sports and Leisure Centre adds: "Swimathon Weekend 2012 is a fantastic way to bring our community together, to raise money for charity, and provides a great challenge. Both customers and staff are taking part and we're hoping to beat last year's fundraising success."

Funds raised by taking on the Swimathon Distance Challenges for Marie Curie Cancer Care will provide free nursing care and support for people with terminal cancer and other illnesses. The charity expects to care for over 31,000 terminally ill patients in the community and in its hospices this year.

Money raised by the public for the Big Splash Mile for Sport Relief will be spent by Comic Relief to help people living incredibly tough lives; both here, at home in the UK, and across the world's poorest countries.