Ms Thompson has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and suffers daily with headaches.

The community has rallied to help raise the $35,000.00 she needs to have surgery with just over $5000 already raised via a Gofundme page (www.gofundme.com/29k8bht4), hosted by Prue Lambert. 

Ms Lambert wrote on the page "Tammy is a very private hardworking dependable community minded woman who was president of our local Can Assist branch for four years and has always been willing to help others. She is now in need of the help of others and finds it extremely hard to ask for it”.

Swimmer Wally Parkinson said when they heard of Ms Thompson’s plight all knew they wanted to help. 

Mr Parkinson and Ms Thompson are regulars in the water and swim in the heated pool each morning in winter and the outdoor pool in summer. 

“We were talking about what we could do and thought we’re at the pool, let’s have a Swimathon,” Mr Parkinson said. 

Swimmers can collect a sponsorship form from the pool and can also nominate a time they will be swimming so the pool does not become crowded at any particular time. 

Swimmers should expect to be in the water either 30 or 60 minutes and can obtain sponsorship per lap or as a total set amount. 

“Every bit helps and this is our way of helping,” Mr Parkinson said. 

The Swimathon is not just for seasoned swimmers, any member of the community who wants to help Ms Thompson can put their name down. 

It promises to be a lot of fun! 

Names will continue to be taken until all available time slots are taken throughout the day. 

The pool will still be open to the public on the day. 

Swimathons have been a popular fundraising venture for the Cootamundra Swimming Club in the past. 

Mr Parkinson said as well as raising funds, the Swimathon is also a good opportunity to showcase the heated pool facility.