CHARITIES and community groups are celebrating after receiving donations from the fire service swim.

The annual event raised £10,000 during its 30th year and £491,000 has now been donated since the event began.

Half the money raised every year goes to the Fire Fighters' Charity, with the remainder split to help local organisations.

Firefighter Jeremy Tuckwell, one of the Fireswim organising committee, said: “It is great to see all the hard work everyone has done paying off, with all these charities receiving money. We have had 30 successful years and look forward to another 30 years.”

Builders merchant Travis Perkins has sponsored the event for five years, paying pool fees at Leisure World and providing assistance.

But the event needs a new sponsor.

The swim traditionally involves groups volunteering to swim non-stop for an hour, with the event running for 24 hours.

This year, charities for the elderly benefited, with Acorn Village receiving funds to help renovate accommodation and the Evergreens money towards a minibus.

Others to benefit include: The Youth Enquiry Service, Colchester Carers Centre, Layer pre-school, Rainbow pre-school and Deaf Blind UK.

Money also went to Stanway Hiking Crew, the 1st Layer Brownies, 19th Colchester Brownies, 4th Colchester Guides, Headway, Colchester and Tiptree Toy library, 4-Youth in Brightlingsea and 3rd Stanway Brownies.