News
Olympic gold medallist and Swimathon President Duncan Goodhew made a splash with staff and swimmers when he dropped in to Botwell Green Leisure Centre, Hayes.
The pool has recently been awarded a Swimathon Foundation grant of £2,010 which has enabled the centre to provide free swimming lessons for people with mental and physical disabilities. These lessons will encourage new swimmers and offer a great opportunity to learn to swim in a safe, fun and sociable environment.
Duncan took the opportunity to spend time with the students to find out about how the swimming lessons are helping them to build their confidence and ability in the water. He was also thrilled to discover that some of the students had conquered their fear of water within three to four lessons, which is an enormous achievement. Duncan then went on to delight everyone by showing them his Olympic Gold medal, which he won at the 1980 Moscow Olympics for 100m breast stroke.
Swimming Teacher, Neil Sullivan, who leads the scheme said: "We are very proud to receive the Swimathon Foundation Grant and it was a real privilege to welcome Duncan Goodhew to Botwell Green Leisure Centre’’ Neil went on to say: "The great thing about swimming is that it is an inclusive sport and these lessons give people with disabilities the opportunity to really participate in a community leisure activity.”
