“Take the plunge, take part and take us on” says victorious Chamber for 2012 swim challenge

The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce Year of Health in the Workplace, which is being led by the innovative young charity Healthy Ambitions Suffolk, has seen the winners of the nationally renowned Great East Swim Team Challenge come together to encourage other businesses to enter next year’s race as applications open for the event.

The 2011 British Gas Great East Swim, which was held in the glorious surroundings of Alton Water near Ipswich, had over 3000 participants. The 2012 event is seen as a key milestone for medal hopefuls leading up to the London Olympics.

“The Great East Swim is a great opportunity for business men and women to swap their office suits for wet suits,” said Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive John Dugmore whose team won the race. “We were delighted to win the 2011 event and as 2012 is our Year of Health in the Workplace we would encourage businesses across Suffolk to take the plunge, take part and come and take the Chamber on.”

Healthy Ambitions Suffolk,  who is working with businesses across Suffolk to reduce employee sickness costs within the workplace also see the Great East Swim as a fantastic opportunity for businesses to get involved with.

“By encouraging staff to take on a physical challenge such as the Great East Swim, employers can encourage positive staff morale and improved health and wellbeing,” said Executive Chair of Healthy Ambitions Suffolk, Dr Peter Funnell. He continued, “This can in turn have a significant and positive impact on the costs associated with employee sickness and sickness absence.  The Great East Swim Team Challenge is an excellent event for work colleagues to participate in because it offers not only an individual challenge but an opportunity to challenge other workplace teams. ”

The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce team, made up of brothers Richard and Alan Pledger who work together in their family-owned IT business, React Computer Partnership, entered the Team Challenge with their brother-in-law Lee Matthews, from Royal Mail and Chris Marsh, Director from Insurance Brokers AT&A.

Although all four have done the swim before they were delighted to win the nationally recognised team event. “In 2011 it was the third time I had taken part in the event and to be part of a winning team was a great thrill,” said Chris Marsh. “The whole experience is not to be missed and especially in Olympic year it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be involved.”

The challenge is open to swimmers of all abilities, but teams must consist of four. These can be either all male, all female or mixed teams comprising 2 men and 2 women. Although, teams can be made up of friends, family and club members, the organisers are particularly keen to encourage entries from businesses and organisations who can use the opportunity to enhance team performance and social responsibility, while at the same time encourage a healthier lifestyle through exercise as well as raising money for charity too.

The 2012 event will again take place at Alton Water on 16 June 2012. For further details and how to sign up for the 2012 Great East Swim please visit www.greatswim.org/Events/British-Gas-Great-East-Swim