Swimmers and divers can support the sport in Scotland with a new digital fundraising platform.
Scottish Swimming, the governing body for Swimming and Aquatics in Scotland has partnered with online fundraising website Fantastic Fanatics to enable swimmers and supporters to raise money to support the future of swimming in Scotland. Fantastic Fanatics, which was developed in Aberdeen, enables swimmers to raise money for their clubs through their everyday online and retail shopping.
There are two ways to raise funds to support swimming in Scotland, either online or in stores. Swimmers or fans can go to the fantasticfanatics.com website, choose their online retailer from over 200 big name shops including John Lewis, Boots and Currys PC World, make their purchase, with their swimming club and Scottish Swimming receiving a percentage of the payment.
As well as shopping online, fans can register with Fantastic Fanatics and raise funds for their clubs in-store with local participating retailers. Businesses, restaurants, bars and eating outlets have agreed to pay a percentage of total bills to the customer’s chosen sports club or organisation. The commission paid to swimming clubs and Scottish Swimming is automatically taken at the till-point, so the fan does not need to do anything except present their securely linked everyday debit or credit card as normal.
The brand-new way of helping local and national clubs and sports organisations raise money has been welcomed by the Scottish Rugby Union, Scottish Hockey and Scottish Swimming.
Scottish Swimming aims to enhance participation, development and performance.
Regional Swimming development manager for Grampian, Sean Dawson, said: “Scotland has a great reputation for swimming, and our local clubs work really hard to make sure the sport is accessible to everyone no matter what age or circumstance.
“Scottish Swimming aims to encourage more and more people to participate in this healthy sport, and we very much welcome fundraising platforms like Fantastic Fanatics which can help support our aims.
“One of the great things about Fantastic Fanatics is that it doesn’t cost the swimmer or supporter anything at all, and it is really easy to use. Most of us shop with big retailers online, so it’s easy to get involved and start raising money to help swimming thrive in Scotland.”
Fantastic Fanatics operations director, Barry Munro, added: “We are delighted to have Scottish Swimming on board and we are pleased to play a part in helping raise funds to support the development of the sport in Scotland.
“The technology behind Fantastic Fanatics makes things so simple for the fan, as they can choose their online retailer, the association or club they want to support, make a purchase and generate a commission all, with a few clicks of the mouse.
“In store, registered retailers will automatically send a percentage of the bill to the sports club – there is no extra card or app required. It’s business as usual at the point of sale for the consumer and the retailer.
“Fantastic Fanatics enables sports organisations to worry less about the finances and get on with what they do best – delivering the benefit of sport to their participants, fans and members.”
For more information about Fantastic Fanatics visit fantasticfanatics.com.
Brian Pahlman, Sean Dawson and Barry Munro