THE lightening and storms last Sunday didn’t deter the national champions from City of Bradford Artistic Swimming from putting on a show to launch Marie Curie’s “Lights to Remember” first Dusk Swim.

After torrential rain and lightening there was a break in the crowds as hundreds came to the inaugural fundraising event to light lanterns in memory of a loved one and enjoy perhaps a final swim, before the season for Ilkley Lido comes to a close later this month.

£1,156 was raised at the event and Claire Macina, Community Fundraiser for Marie Curie Hospice in Bradford, said that this is now an annual event for the Lido and will take place again next September.

Claire, who herself used to be an artistic swimmer and is one of the coaches at City of Bradford Artistic Swimming, knew her team members would impress the crowds and their routines drew gasps of amazement from those watching on the side.

Many had never seen this growing sport and did not realise Bradford had such a strong club after the club relocated to Shipley Pool from Halifax last year.

With Artistic Swimming featuring in the Paris Olympics in 2024 and Team GB having a chance at a podium position for the first time ever, these local winners of the Bradford “Young Team of the Year” expect interest to grow rapidly again in the next year, so are running their first introduction Training Academy in November to welcome more beginners.

Head Coach, Charlotte Hughes, even ran an impromptu lesson later in the evening for those fascinated and wanting to have a go. Others were happy to just swim and enjoy the atmospheric surroundings of the Lido at dusk.

Marie Curie Hospice has 16 beds and costs £9,100 per day to run, and increase of almost 50% in recent years due to rising costs. The Hospice thanked the Lido staff and City of Bradford Artistic Swimming for their support.