Thomas takes to the water to raise money
THIS young swimmer is almost as at home in the water as he is on dry land – but that was not always the case.
Young Thomas Williams is deaf and, as a result, had trouble progressing as normal with mainstream swimming lessons.
Then his mum Emma stumbled across a charity called Level Water, which provides free one-to-one swimming lessons for disabled children, and his life changed.
Now the eight-year-old, who attends Mynydd Cynffig Primary School in Kenfig Hill, wants to help the charity teach others to swim.
He’s doing a sponsored one-mile or 64-length swim at Pyle Swimming Pool next Wednesday and has already raised more than £1,000.
Thomas’ dad Phil said: “Emma applied to the charity and Thomas was fortunate enough to receive these lessons. Level Water at that time didn’t cover our area, but quickly arranged for our local pool to provide these funded one-to-one lessons.
“Just over a year on and Thomas’ swimming has progressed beyond all expectations, having recently completed Level 3 and swimming 800m.
“It is not just the swimming that he has gained from this, his self confidence and self esteem has soared, the difference in him is unbelievable.
“A short while ago Thomas decided he would like to raise money for Level Water, so that other disabled children could benefit from learning to swim, just like he had.
“We decided that a charity swim to raise both money and the awareness of Level Water was the most fitting thing to do.
“We have set a challenge for Thomas to swim one mile, which is 64 lengths of Pyle Swimming Pool. Level Water are having a representative attend the challenge.”
A JustGiving page has been set up and people can also donate by sending a text message to 70070 with the code TWLW64 £2 (or more or less).