four days away, and organisers are hoping for more last-minute entries before today's 5 p.m. deadline.

The beneficiary of Sunday's Swimathon is the Pembroke Rest Home, which is in need of extensive refurbishing and renovation.

The Pembroke Rest Home has always provided a range of services for senior citizens from around the Island, seeking to ease the burden on families by providing both permanent and holiday beds for loved ones.

Plans are underway to add nine to 12 beds to the 22 already in place, and during the next year the men's section will be enlarged by two rooms. The laundry is also being renovated to provide efficient, high-volume service.

Much of the furniture at the home is at least thirty years old, and is in need of replacing. New beds made especially for the use by the elderly are needed, as well as easy and regular chairs, bed-side tables, lamps and carpeting.

There is also an urgent need for an upright deep-freezer for the kitchen.

The Swimathon is hoping to raise the $40,000 needed to replace the furniture, appliances and carpeting.

Late entries, accompanied by a $20 registration fee, will be accepted until 5 p.m. today at the Sportseller in the Washington Mall or International Imports on Par-La-Ville Road.

Participants are reminded that they can pick up their competitor's bag and official swim cap at a briefing tomorrow night at Warwick Academy at 5.30 p.m.