This Saturday, at the West Wave Aquatic Centre in Waitakere, the biggest reunion of past swimming champions ever held in New Zealand took place.

As part of the Commonwealth Games trials, Swimming New Zealand invited their medallists from past Olympic and Commonwealth Games to participate in a charity relay event - ‘The Swimming Legends Race for Charity’.

Commonwealth Games gold, silver and bronze medallist Mark Treffers, was the captain of the Arthritis New Zealand relay team.

Mark and his team put in a fantastic effort and won the relay, meaning that an extra $1500 was given to Arthritis New Zealand, bringing in over $11,000 for the charity.

Sandra Kirby, Chief Executive of Arthritis New Zealand was part of the Team Treffers cheerleading team in Auckland, and was very pleased with the win: "What a great result from Team Treffers and it was so exciting to see them win."

"The funds that Mark and his team raised are so vital to Arthritis New Zealand as it helps us to continue to support and provide services to the 522,000 New Zealanders who suffer from arthritis. Thank you and well done team!"

Other members of the Arthritis Team are: Lyn Dalzell (nee Rowe), Cameron Gibson, Jaynie Hudgell (nee Parkhouse), Ross Anderson and Richard Lockhart.