Wednesday 24th July: Olympic bronze medallist and world champion silver medallist open water swimmer, Cassie Patten, today treated outdoor swimmers from Oxfordshire to an exclusive masterclass at the Great Lake.

Cassie, who medalled at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, was putting some lucky swimmers through their paces in preparation for British Gas SwimBritain which is calling on the nation to take on a new outdoor swimming challenge this September.

Cassie will join channel-conqueror David Walliams and fellow Beijing medallist Keri-anne Payne at the Great Lake, Blenheim Palace on the 1st September to each lead their own team in the first relay swim challenge of its kind.

Blenheim Palace is the proud host of the British Gas SwimBritain open water event, with teams of four completing a relay swim of 1000m each in four 250m legs. Ten further pool events are taking place around the country during August and September.

Cassie, who won bronze in the 10km open water event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, said:

“British Gas SwimBritain is an exciting challenge for anyone looking for a bit of adventure this summer while improving your fitness at the same time, in the beautiful setting of the Great Lake.

“I love the outdoors and nothing compares to the feeling of swimming in open water - it’s so liberating and a completely different experience to being in a pool.

“Anyone can get involved, from seasoned open water swimmers to those that fancy taking on a fresh swim challenge, so if you want a goal this summer and sign up at swimbritain.co.uk/signup”.

Comedian David Walliams, who has already completed numerous swimming challenges and will be joining Cassie to take on the swim, said:

“Doing a swim challenge as a team will be a great motivation and a new experience for me, so I’m really excited to be taking part in my first team swim at the British Gas SwimBritain challenge.

“Swimming is refreshing, relaxing and a great escape from everyday life, as well as being good exercise, so I’m encouraging as many people as possible to team up and give it a go.”

British Gas SwimBritain is a new programme which aims to encourage half a million more people to swim regularly by 2015.

Everyone signing up to British Gas SwimBritain will be offered four coaching sessions, redeemable in over 150 pools across the country to help improve their technique and training over the summer as they prepare for their British Gas SwimBritain challenge.

Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity, is the official charity partner of British Gas SwimBritain. Shelter helps over a million people a year struggling with bad housing or homelessness, and is aiming to raise £100,000 with British Gas SwimBritain to support its vital work.