THE new chairman of Kennet District Council has pledged to swim several lengths in each of the leisure centre swimming pools in the district to raise money for the children of battered wives.
Coun Peter Richardson, who was confirmed as the new chairman of Kennet on Tuesday, said he had chosen the charity Step Up as his chairman's charity of the year.
That means that all the fundraising taking place within the district council in the next 12 months will go to providing sports and arts activities to children at safe houses where women at risk from violence from their partners are given refuge.
Mr Richardson, who represents Ludgershall, did not give a date for his marathon swim but the first event in his fundraising year will be an auction of promises at Devizes Town Hall on July 16.
His vice chairman is Coun Jerry Kunkler (Pewsey) while Coun Chris Humphries of Aldbourne remains as the leader of the council. His deputy is Coun Dominic Campbell from Upavon. New chairman and vice chairman of the council's main committees were also selected at Tuesday's annual council meeting.
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