Sponsored swim raises vital funds to improve the lives of Kenyan children

More than 50 people threw themselves into a charity swim over the weekend to raise vital funds for Kenyan youngsters.

Those taking part were challenged to complete as many lengths of the 25m pool at the David Lloyd Leisure Centre as they could manage for the Younite Foundation -  a registered charity set up in 2016 to help young people in Swindon and Wiltshire as well as projects in Kenya.

And with money already topping the £1,000 mark and charity money from another 45 participants yet to be collected, organisers have hailed the event a huge success.

One of those taking part was inspirational 13-year-old Elijah Price, who managed to complete an incredible 100 lengths over the course of an hour and a half. And what makes his feat more remarkable is that the youngster, who was born with a bleed on the brain, has had to endure numerous life saving operations since birth - most recently in April.

He explained: “I have been working with one of the coaches at the David Lloyd gym, Alfie Smith, to help build up my fitness in the pool. Then I got to hear about this charity swim and I thought I would give it a go. I love helping other people less fortunate than myself. I suppose it’s because I have been through so much myself that I understand how important it is to reach out and help other people.

He explained that he originally intended to complete 80 lengths of the pool but decided to push himself further than originally thought possible.

“I knew that I had some more energy left so I decided to go for it. It was great that my coach Alfie got in the pool to swim alongside me to keep me going and to make sure that I was safe, he was brilliant.”

During the hour and a half that Elijah was swimming, he explained that the thought that he was helping to improve the lives of the children in Kenya was the one thing that kept him going.

“I was determined to do my best for them - so I was not going to give up.”

Organiser James Phipps, who swam 50 lengths, said: “It was amazing to see so many people give up their time, swimming over 25 miles combined, and a few weeks before Christmas to help raise money and awareness for people less fortunate than themselves. Some of the people there like Elijah were truly inspirational and it makes all the hard work organising it worth it. Thank you to Copy Colour and David Lloyd for all their support in making this event happen.”

Funds raised will go towards securing fresh water supplies for the Melon Mission - a school in Nakuru, Kenya, which looks after more than 450 children, providing them with food, shelter, and an education. The water supplies are a vital resource because there has been a drought in Kenya and water has to be purchased for delivery.