Jamie and pals pool resources for charity
Kids swim equivalent of Channel in aid of Diabetes UK
A team of youngsters from Perth are celebrating after completing a huge fundraising drive for charity.
Jamie Thomson (9) and friends have been working hard to complete Diabetes UK’s Swim22 challenge.
They each needed to swim the equivalent of the English Channel in Perth Leisure Pool over a three-month period.
Known as “Team Jamie”, they came together on Sunday to swim their last length of the challenge together.
Oakbank Primary pupil Jamie was diagnosed with Type One diabetes two years ago, and has been raising awareness of his condition and raising funds to help researchers find a cure ever since.
Proud mum Amanda said all the children had managed to complete the challenge.
She told the PA: “We all had a great day on Sunday, it was a great success.
“The team got together to swim their final length at the pool. They had already all reached their target, but they still wanted to finish it off together.
“Linda Hamilton and Jacqueline Wheland from Diabetes UK came to the pool to cheer them all on, and presented them with a certificate and a medal each, and Jamie also got to cut a cake for everyone as a wee celebration.
“It was a lovely ending to the 12 weeks.”
Jamie was also delighted when his hero, St Johnstone goalkeeper Alan Mannus, gave him a pair of signed goalie gloves and posed for pictures with him at the club’s McDiarmid Park on Sunday morning. The children have since been recognised for their efforts at their school assembly and have also been interviewed by teacher Mr Grant for “Oakbank News”, which goes up on the television screens around the school.
Jamie is also hoping this will help him get his personal achievement badge at Cubs.
The team won’t find out their total until all the money has been collected, but it is already looking good.
Amanda added: “The Co-op on Rannoch Road raised £600 from their collection buckets for Jamie – I was blown out of the water with that one.
“They also came down to the pool on Sunday and gave everyone goody bags with fruit and a bottle water each. It was great for them to be there.
“We also did a fundraising event at Kinfauns Riding for the Disabled where we raised £950. We split the total between us and Kinfauns RDA so we got another £475 from them.
“We also had a bucket collection at the [St Johnstone] game against Aberdeen which brought in another £475.”
“Other collection buckets at China China takeaway in Craigie raised £91 and the Cherrybank Inn raised £21.
“We still need to get all the sponsor sheets from the team, so hopefully we will know by the end of the month, but it is already fantastic.
“On the back of Swim22, many of the parents and friends have obviously been inspired by the children and have gone on to the Diabetes UK website and signed up for their one million step challenge, which is great!”
The family is now planning to hold a tupperware party at their house on Saturday, June 3, where the money raised will be split between Diabetes UK and Perth Autism Support. St Johnstone fan Jamie in his Saints gloves
Callum Paterson, Ben Lackie, Jamie Thomson, Max Carling-Steer, Abbie Thomson and Aaron McPhee – with their celebratory cake after completing Swim22