Come and swim – lend a hand

2024 Charity Swim in aid of the Hersbruck Children’s Fund.

Our SPECK Pumpen Children’s Fund Foundation has been in existence since 2000. It provides targeted support to children and young people in need and from socially disadvantaged backgrounds in the region. Together with numerous other companies, the SPECK Children’s Fund sponsored this year’s ‘100 Lanes of Hersbruck’ swimming event, organised by DAV Triathlon Hersbruck.

Originally an internal club event, the swimming event has been linked to a fundraising campaign and a programme of supporting activities since 2022 and takes place once a year at the Hersbruck outdoor swimming pool. The Water Rescue Service ensures the necessary safety measures are in place. The highlight and conclusion of the event is the handover of the earmarked donations.

The idea behind the 100 lengths (= 5 km) dates back to the training session launched in 2013 at the Hersbruck Strudelbad by ‘Matze’ Matthias Hofmann. Originally a handball player and a non-swimmer, he became one of the fastest swimmers through training with the DAV triathletes. The 100 lengths is an extreme distance for long-distance swimming, 24-hour swims or the Ironman, but it is not a prerequisite
for taking part: anyone aged seven or over can take part from 100 metres onwards, provided they have parental permission.

As a thank-you, participants will receive commemorative swimming caps, and the youngest and oldest participants, as well as the team covering the most kilometres, will receive special recognition.

Every kilometre swum raises twenty euros for a good cause. The total distance covered by all swimmers is added up, minus the first 100 lengths – in memory of ‘Matze’ Hofmann.

On 14 September, 104 participants braved drizzling rain and a water temperature of 17.4 degrees and swam a combined total of 287.5 kilometres. With the help of the sponsors, an impressive total of 11,180 euros was raised – almost a third more than last year!

SPECK
Pumpen, together with the other sponsors and the organiser of the swimming event, is delighted with the success (in terms of donations) of the ‘100 Lanes of Hersbruck’. The proceeds go to the Hersbruck Children’s Fund and support single parents and families in financial need, particularly in funding educational opportunities for their children.