Grateful Dolphins splash the cash
Donation for Fair City disability swim group
An organisation which gives people living with physical and mental challenges the chance to learn to swim has received a funding boost.
The Dolphins Wellbeing Disabled Swimming Group, based at Perth Leisure Pool, has been awarded £400 from property management company Ross and Liddell through its annual community bursary scheme.
The group was set up 30 years ago by local lady May Harris when she became frustrated at the lack of swimming groups for disabled people in Perth.
The group now works with upwards of 10 swimmers every Sunday evening at the city’s leisure pool, from 5pm to 6pm.
The Ross and Liddell funding will be used to buy new equipment and help cover the cost of a qualified swimming coach.
May said: “We’re so grateful for the funding and would like to say a big thank you to Ross and Liddell.
“Our class is for people of all ages who are living with a whole range of conditions. We have people who are recovering from strokes, people with Multiple Sclerosis, people with Down’s Syndrome and people who are amputees.
“Over the last few years, we have been met with a few challenges in terms of finding a regular time and location for our class but we are still going strong and our members are very dedicated.
“Bringing a coach on board has been a fantastic development. Non-swimmers are now moving really well in the water and some of our members may go on to compete at disabled swimming gala competitions.
“It’s not about winning or competing, although we would never discourage this. It’s about using the water to become stronger. For some, it’s great for relaxation too. Swimming is a whole body workout and it’s for fantastic for any rehabilitation process.
“The sessions give the swimmers
The Perth Dolphins welcomed the funding boost such a boost and we want to keep this group going for many decades to come.”
Ross and Liddell specialises in property management and maintenance, as well as providing a comprehensive range of residential and commercial services including sales, lettings, surveying and insurance.
Now in its seventh year, the community bursary scheme was launched to provide support to organisations all over Scotland that make a vital difference in their community.
Dolphins Wellbeing Disabled Swimming Group is just one of 37 groups to receive funding in this bursary year.