CBBC Newsround | Printer Friendly Format

Too few children learning to swim

Many children aren't learning to swim because too many pools are being closed down according to campaigners behind this year's big Swimathon.

This year is the 20th Swimathon with 25 thousand people hitting their local swimming pools for the charity NCH.

But according to organisers one in five 11 year olds would be unable to take part as they never learned to swim.

They want the government to spend more money on public swimming pools so that every child has somewhere to practise.

The Swimathon takes place every year and aims to raise £2 million for the children's charity NCH.

Those taking part are sponsored to swim anything from a few laps to a few thousand metres.

This year's event was launched by TV presenter Gabby Logan and Olympic Gold Medallist Duncan Goodhew who is the Swimathon president.