Olympic gold-medallist Duncan Goodhew will be the star guest at a Suffolk swimming pool’s annual charity fundraiser – which is shaping up to be one of the UK’s best attended events.

Organisers of the Stradbroke Swimathon said they were “more than delighted” to have the sport star visit the event this weekend.

The Stradbroke Swim and Fitness Centre is expected to welcome more than 200 swimmers during three days of charity fundraising in aid of Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie.

The centre has been a long-term supporter of Swimathon and organisers say they are on course to be the third best attended event out of hundreds taking place nationally this year.

Len Phoenix, who will be taking part in his 30th Swimathon, said: “We are absolutely more than delighted to have Duncan Goodhew with us this year.

“More than 200 people have signed up to take part and we expect to again be the third best attended event in the country - only two large pools in London look likely to beat us. If anyone has yet to sign up but would like to, we’re still taking bookings.”

Mr Phoenix, who has amassed more than 1,000 medals in competitive swimming, said the Stradbroke Swim and Fitness Centre had become a popular venue for Swimathon entries due to its welcoming and supportive atmosphere.

The annual fundraiser invites entrants to compete sponsored challenges of between 400 metres and five kilometres.

Staff at the centre have been helping swimmers train for the event since early the beginning of January. Mr Phoeinix said the organisation had been “outstanding to help everyone enjoy the challenge”.

The attendance of Mr Goodhew is seen as a reflection of the centre’s commitment to Swimathon. The swimmer, who is Swimathon President, launched last year’s series of events with Suffolk singing soprano Laura Wright, who was an ambassador for the charity.

Swimathon sessions will be held on Friday from 9am-noon and again from 6-9pm; from 1-5pm on Saturday and 9am-1pm on Sunday.

Mr Goodhew is expected to attend Saturday’s session.

Visit swimathon.org/ to find out more about the nationwide event and sign up.

Visit www.everyoneactive.com to find out more about Starbroke Swim and Fitness Centre.