A SPONSORED swim has been held at North-East hotel for charity.

Staff, guests and visitors at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Durham City raised hundreds of pounds by covering a total of 12.4 miles on Thursday (March 26) - the length of the Durham coastline.

Money raised is going towards St Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham.

Melanie Harrison, of Radisson Blu, said: “Our charity committee chose to support St Cuthbert’s as they are a local charity and play a vital role in the local community, helping patients and supporting their families through difficult times and becoming a big part of their lives.

“The work that the charity undertakes daily struck a chord with members of the committee. After finding out more information about the charity itself the team were keen to get involved and participate in raising funds.

The event, in the pool at the hotel’s PACE suite, is part of a series of fundraisers by the hotel which is already sponsoring the hospice’s Colourama event.

Kay Welsh, of St Cuthbert’s Hospice, said of the swimathon: “Everyone at the hotel has been really supportive of their local hospice and we’re delighted with how they’ve thrown themselves into this event, literally.

“They’re making such a big effort for us but Radisson Blu is also one of our colour station sponsors for Colourama on Saturday June 6, throwing blue paint, of course.”