by Nick Lillitos

nlillitos@thekmgroup.co.uk

Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew will do a one-mile charity swim in Maidstone – on the day the Olympic Torch passes through.

When he heard about the KM Maidstone Mile – which will raise money for the Heart of Kent Hospice on Friday, July 20 – he got in touch with the town’s Olympic organisers to provide his personal support.

Organiser Mike Russell, whose Maidstone group Team Outrageous is organising the July event, said: “It’s a great boost to land a man of his stature for such a worthy cause.
“It’s the cherry on the cake when you get such a man.”

Mr Goodhew will be among a group of 100 people swimming in the River Medway from the Archbishop’s Palace towards Tovil and then turning around to swim back to the starting line – a total distance of one mile.

The KM Maidstone Mile also involves an evening run through the town on the same day.

Paul Alcock, chairman of Town Centre Management, promoting the activities, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that someone of his high profile is going to do it.
“That Duncan actually came to us and volunteered makes it all the more special for us in Maidstone.”

• See Friday's Kent Messenger for more details on the Maidstone Mile