Tuatapere locals took to the waters of their town's pool on Friday (23 Feb) for a 24-hour swimathon, clocking up 8404 lengths or 210.1 kilometres, in an event designed to not only bring the community together but also raise much needed funds for four local causes.

Organiser Kaylene Bennett said up to 350 people attended with around 150 taking the plunge in support of Suicide Prevention and Outreach Tuatapere (SPOT), the Tuatapere, Orepuki and Blackmount Volunteer Fire Brigades, Tuatapere Community Pool and the Waiau Swimming Club.

Several organisations came to the event's support with Tuatapere Lions donating $400 for a BBQ, the Waiau Health Trust donating bottled water, bananas and apples, and the Tuatapere Four Square doing a "midnight pie drop".

"What was cool about that was that they weren't even asked. We just got a phone call to say that's what they were going to do," Bennett said.

Bennett said there was a real good feeling throughout the event.

"There were young kids that were determined to do half hour stretches and they were in there with their board, with their mums' just following them along."

There were generations of families from grandparents, children and their children, she said.

"They all filled spots. I think the oldest was oldest person was over 70, and our youngest was four," Bennett said.

Total money raised was yet to be calculated but SPOT hoped to bring more events, speakers to the community, and assist those that need any financial aid in accessing counselling services.

The Tuatapere, Orepuki and Blackmount Volunteer fire brigades would be putting their funds towards the k10 Te Anau cause.

And the Tuatapere Community Pool's fundraising would go towards maintenance costs and a new paint job while the Waiau Swimming Club is raising funds for coaching resources and training equipment.