“Splash for cash” raises £2,000 for charity group

A GROUP of mixed-ability swimmers clocked up more than 25 miles during Warrington Disability Partnership’s (WDP) annual “Going the Extra Mile” sponsored swimathon in this the charity’s 25th anniversary year.
Thirty-four swimmers took part in the fundraiser at the Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub, with WDP’s sports and leisure co-ordinator, Stacey King, completing the final two-and-a-half miles of her personal 25-mile challenge.
The 21-year-old’s impressive feat raised £200 for the charity – part of an overall sponsorship total of £2,000.
WDP’s delighted chief executive officer Dave Thompson personally swam 64 lengths – the full one-mile challenge – having the use of just one arm. He said: “I originally set out to swim the distance as part of a relay team of three full-time wheelchair users that included myself, our disability information officer – Tom Coleridge – and Josh Morris, who is aged 10 and has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
“As it was, Tom and Josh each swam 32 lengths and completed the challenge just between the two of them, which inspired me to keep going.
“My son Gavin, my son-in-law Tommy and my 14-year-old grandson Jamie together completed four miles. Our treasurer and trustee, Sue Bentley, her husband Steven, and WDP volunteer John Munslow all swam a mile each. Everyone – including friends of WDP Pat Pye, Kenny Holt, Patsy Kelly and Warrington Sea Cadets – pushed themselves to achieve their personal best, which is the true spirit of this event. At WDP, we believe it’s about what you CAN do – not what you can’t.
“I would like to thank everyone who took part, including our poolside staff and volunteers; our event organiser, Janis Williams; all those who sponsored our challengers and supported us from the spectators’ gallery; LiveWire Warrington; and the Mayor and Mayoress, who generously attended on the day to present our participants with their medals.”
Members of the charity’s pain management group – OWCH – collectively clocked up 158 lengths in the pool, with Wendy Pitt and her nine-year-old son Alfie doing 56 lengths between them.
Group co-ordinator Brun Munslow said: “One of our ladies had not been in the swimming pool for nine years.
“To be in the water was a massive achievement in itself. They all encounter pain on a daily basis as a result of various debilitating long-term conditions, so to take part in an event like this is truly incredible. We as a charity could not be prouder of our OWCH group members – in fact, of all those who took part.”
Donations to the Team WDP Swimathon continue to be welcomed on the charity’s JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/wdpswim16