$20K raised at swim relay

More than $20,000 was raised Saturday by 180 swimmers participating in the Kelowna AquaJets first ever 24-hour swim relay. 

The majority of the money, raised through pledges and donations, will benefit the swim club, while 10 per cent will go towards the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign.

"Our goal is $20,000 and about five minutes ago we broke that, so we're at $20,053 right now," said Amber Piche, event co-ordinator. 

The 24-hour swim was broken into 12, two-hour segments, with swimmers, aged six to "80-ish," taking shifts right through the night. 

"It's very fun and anyone should do it," said 12-year-old Abigail Jerome, one of the participants. "Even if you can barely swim, it's still very fun."

Piche said the H2O Centre was very supportive of the event, and a couple of lifeguards stayed on duty right through the night. 

Saturday's event was the first time the swim club has put on the relay, but Piche said she expects it will be the first of many.