Edinburgh swimmers complete ‘Victorian Pool Crawl’ across five historic pools, raising over £40,000
Fundraising supports local people facing barriers to being active
Sixty-one Edinburgh swimmers completed Edinburgh Leisure’s aquathlon-style Victorian Pool Crawl on Easter Monday, 6th April, walking 16km and swimming 5km across Edinburgh Leisure’s five historic Victorian pools, raising more than £40,000 for the Active Communities programme.
The challenge, sponsored by Landmarc Support Services, began at Dalry Swim Centre (est. 1895) before continuing through Warrender Swim Centre (est. 1887), Glenogle Swim Centre (est. 1899), and Leith Victoria Swim Centre (est. 1900), finishing at Portobello Swim Centre (est. 1901). Edinburgh Leisure also hosted its Great Lengths exhibition, highlighting the history of the city’s Victorian pools and bathhouses.
The Victorian Pool Crawl was conceived in 2025 by a regular swimmer from Leith Victoria Swim Centre as a community fundraising challenge. After the inaugural event, the challenge became an official Edinburgh Leisure fundraiser, growing from 13 participants in 2025 to 61 this year.
Among the original 13-strong team was Marek Bernat, aged 49, who learned to swim at Dalry Swim Centre in 2019. Despite having found completing the final lane tough last year, it was also extremely rewarding. So much so that Marek and two of the original group returned this year with a new team of ‘Leith Victorians’ who collectively raised over £5,500.
A year ago, Landmarc employee Tamsin Gee wouldn’t have imagined taking on a half-marathon-distance challenge. By her own admission, she was “allergic to exercise”. One year on, she celebrated completing this year’s event alongside colleagues and friends at Portobello Swim Centre—an achievement she described as huge. “It was a fantastic day, seamlessly organised and such fun to take part in,” she said.
Kevin Kneeshaw, Landmarc’s Regional Operations Manager for Scotland and Northern Ireland said, “At Landmarc, we are passionate about supporting initiatives that make a real difference locally. The Victorian Pool Crawl not only celebrates Edinburgh’s heritage but also helps break down barriers to being active. It has been fantastic to be part of such a positive and impactful event.”
The event’s top fundraiser Frederick Phillips sees first-hand the impact this fundraising has for local people. He volunteers with Edinburgh Leisure’s Ageing Well project as a ‘Buddy Swimmer’, supporting older people to enjoy swimming which Frederick says, “transforms lives by supporting physical health, reducing isolation and opening up opportunities that simply wouldn’t exist otherwise.”
Adam Shaffer, Events & Individual Giving Fundraiser at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “This was a great event to organise, drawing on colleagues’ expertise and enthusiasm for getting people active. It was brilliant to see so many people turning out to cheer on the swimmers and support our charitable mission.”
Rachael McCrea, Head of Fundraising at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “Every pound raised helps remove financial, health and disability barriers that stop people getting active. We’re so grateful to our incredible participants whose efforts have raised over £40,000, and over the course of the day demonstrated how taking part in physical activity improves health, wellbeing and builds communities.”
All funds raised support Active Communities, Edinburgh Leisure’s programme tackling inequalities and inactivity. Active Communities supports around 14,700 people a year, including people affected by health conditions, disability, poverty and other barriers to physical activity.
Edinburgh Leisure is a charity dedicated to helping people lead more active, healthy lives. With 75 sport, leisure and school venues across the city, it creates opportunities for everyone to get active and stay active.