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Cheltenham Town fan Adrian Bailey confirms venue and start time for his charity swim

Author: Roger Jackson, Posted: Saturday, 22nd November 2025, 08:00

Cheltenham Town fan Adrian Bailey will swim 80 lengths on his 80th birthday to raise funds for the Cheltenham Town Community Trust

Cheltenham Town season-ticket holder Adrian Bailey’s charity swim next month will take place at Leisure at Cheltenham.

The one-time Labour MP for West Bromwich West is marking his 80^th birthday on Thursday 11^th December by swimming 80 lengths of the pool, which is about one-and-a-quarter miles.

“I’ll start at 10.45am,” he said.

He is raising money for the Cheltenham Town Community Trust, the charitable arm of Cheltenham Town Football Club, and told The Local Answer last month that he is hoping to raise at least £1,000 before adding “but I’d like to raise more than that”.

Bailey, a former pupil at Cheltenham Grammar School, took up swimming in his 40s following a hip replacement and is confident of completing 80 lengths.

And he won’t be short of support.

“I hope to have plenty,” he said. “I know my relatives are turning up although it’s difficult to know how many of the Robins supporting public are going to come.”

Those who do turn up will see that he's well prepared.

"I swam 60 lengths at Pittville pool on Thursday, no trouble," he said. "I'm off to Fuerteventura on Sunday to get some serious training in a beautiful, large salt water hotel pool."

The week of the charity swim is going to be very busy for Bailey, who goes to as many Cheltenham games as he can even though he lives in Sandwell in the West Midlands.

Steve Cotterill’s men host Buxton, of National League North, in the second round of the FA Cup on Saturday 6^th December before travelling to Swindon Town for a League Two fixture on Tuesday 9^th December.

They then entertain Harrogate Town on Saturday 13^th December.

Bailey, who has been watching Cheltenham Town since 1958, will host a reception at the football club after his charity swim which will last until about 2.30pm. He is expected to complete the swim at about noon.

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Cheltenham Town fan Adrian Bailey confirms venue and start time for his charity swim

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