Swimmers go to great lengths for Youth Adventure charity

Louise Balaam from The Youth Adventure Trust has been presented with the proceeds of the Rotary Club of Swindon North’s 2019 Swimathon and Grand Draw by the Club’s Past-President Ann Debureaux-Dias.

The event was sponsored by Star Legal and the Link Centre in West Swindon. Both sponsors were presented with Certificates of Appreciation.

The Rotary Club of Swindon North’s Charity Swimathon and Grand Draw was held on 14th April at The Link Centre in West Swindon. The Swimathon and Draw raised £5,773 which is the most since this annual event began in 2014. The 2019 proceeds were shared between the Swindon-based charity, the Youth Adventure Trust, and eight other charities.

Louise Balaam from the Trust was invited to the rotary club's meeting on 15th July to accept our cheque for £3,556.59. Thanking everybody who took part, Louise said that this donation will fund the cost of one young person for 3 years.

The Trust’s 3-year programmes are a series of adventure camps and day activities for 11 to 15 year olds. Each day and each camp has different activities ranging from caving, canoeing and climbing to archery, sailing and circus skills. The programmes cost the Trust £3,600 per person but are completely free of charge for the participants. The activities are designed to be fun but also to challenge the youngsters and teach them to work in a team.

The number of places for children from Swindon has been doubled in recent months. Schools and social workers recommend children to the Trust. Typically they will be living chaotic lives in troubled homes. The Trust is the only charity in the area which offers long term, early intervention for such disadvantaged youngsters. Louise said:”We can’t change their home circumstances but we can teach them how to cope with the problems in their lives”.

In addition to the £3,556 for the Youth Adventure Trust the other charities to benefit were Wiltshire Search & Rescue (£297), Highworth ATC (£341), Swindon Dolphins Swimming Club (£694), Swindon Down's Syndrome Group (£164), Cure Parkinson's Trust (£270), Crohns & Colitis UK (£108), Think Pacific (£280) and the Cats Protection League (£63).