SWIMMERS have helped raise thousands of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support in Cornwall.

On Saturday 300 people braved the waters for the annual Padstow to Rock swim.

Ashley Clement, Jill Fish, Angela Leverton, Orla McGinn and Caitlin Clement from Launceston. 1007ID05808ROCKSWIM
Jo Jones, Alison Chatterjea and Esther Dowling, from Boscastle, Tintagel and Treknow. 1007ID05804ROCKSWIM
HOLD FOR SEC PG 1
Lynne Saunders Julie Cooper Juliet Bird Andy Butchers and Lauren Groch all from St Mellion and Cargreen (South East Cornwall)
Martin Davies from St Eval. 1007ID05809ROCKSWIM
Andy Dalrimple, Tina Heiberg, George Halward and John Hambly from Falmouth and Trebetherick. 1007ID05812ROCKSWIM
Members of Wadebridge swimming club – Amber Munro Scott, Sian Temple and Ellie Nuttall. 1007ID05805ROCKSWIM
Pauline Jeffery and David Knight from Rock. 1007ID05807ROCKSWIM

Participants aged from 7 to 70 travelled from all over the country to take part. Including the Kemp family who were on holiday from Thailand.

Andrew and Kate Kemp and their children seven-year-old Jeremy and ten-year-old Charlotte helped to raise £755.

Mr Kemp, who is staying in Camelford, said: "My children take part in a swim club in Thailand called Silverfinz and were fed up of just swimming up and down and suggested we did something a bit more adventurous.

"We really enjoyed it and are hoping to do it again next year with more family members."

Certificate

One hundred swimmers committed to make the near mile swim in 30 minutes and 200 swimmers in an hour.

On arrival at Rock check-in, the swimmers were given water, hot drinks, the swim certificate and the iconic Padstow swim T-shirt. Rick Stein, who also swam, provided delicious hot pasties.

There was also a barbecue and a bar, music and a wonderful cheering welcoming crowd.

Sarah Hawkins, who established the annual swim in the early 1970s also took part this year.

She also presented the Hawkins Cup to Andrew Jenkins, of the Metropole Hotel, Padstow for his commitment and support for the event.

This year 11-year-old Frank Gough and his father Carl Gough were awarded the Hawkins Endeavour award 2010 for their wonderful achievements in raising £4,500.

Carrie Macrae, Cornwall fundraising manager for Macmillan said: "This year we hope to have exceeded last year's target of £16,000 and will release the figure once we have received the final pledges.

"None of this would have been possible without the swim committee, sponsors, swimmers and supporters."

Winners: Elite group: 1. Adam Spear, 2. Lucas Perry Hill, 3. Joanna Swallow, 4. Alex Thorley.

Second swim: 1. Rob Joules, 2. Andrew Dalrymple, 3. Tim Raven, 4. Hisham Harb.