Young swimmers’ fundraising boost for hospice

Published Wednesday, 12th February 2025

Children attending swimming classes at Hartlepool’s Mill House Leisure Centre put their skills to the test to raise vital funds for the town’s Alice House Hospice.

A group of 14 learners - all participants in the Learn to Swim programme run by Hartlepool Borough Council’s Active Hartlepool service - came up with the idea of doing a sponsored swim.

They agreed to try to collectively swim 5 miles, the equivalent of 400 lengths of the pool, in just 30 minutes.

And the tight timescale proved no obstacle as they smashed the target, finishing the challenge in just 19 minutes and 50 seconds and raising £1,415 in the process.

They chose to raise money for the hospice as it one of the good causes chosen for support by Hartlepool’s current Ceremonial Mayor, Councillor Carole Thompson.

She said: “I am so grateful to all of the swimmers for choosing the hospice to be the beneficiary of this amazing event, and they should be very proud of themselves. This was no mean feat.”

Councillor Gary Allen, Chair of the Council’s Adult and Community Based Services Committee, also praised the swimmers, saying: “Given that they are fairly inexperienced swimmers, to swim so far in such a short space of time is exceptional.

“I would like to congratulate the children on a brilliant achievement, they are an absolute credit to themselves and their families.”

Learn to Swim instructor Ben White said that following the success of this sponsored swim, it was proposed to stage another over the summer.

The swimmers who took part, with (left) Councillor Gary Allen, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Adult and Community Based Services Committee, Learn to Swim instructor Ben White and Nicola Winwood from Alice House Hospice.

The swimmers who took part, with (left) Councillor Gary Allen, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Adult and Community Based Services Committee, Learn to Swim instructor Ben White and Nicola Winwood from Alice House Hospice.

Nicola Winwood, In Memory Fundraiser at Alice House Hospice, added: “A massive well done from Alice House to everyone involved in this fundraising initiative. I hope all the swimmers enjoyed raising such a fantastic amount, as well as completing an incredible fitness challenge. Thanks to everyone who took part in or supported this event, and also to Ceremonial Mayor Councillor Carole Thompson for her on-going support and awareness-raising of the hospice.”

Parents/carers can find out more about the Learn to Swim programme and what stage their children are at by visiting www.activehartlepool.co.uk/learntoswim

 

 

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Steve Hilton