JOHN IS SPLASH HAPPY AT 75
Charity swim raises more than £7000
A 75- year- old raised over £7000 for local Alzheimer’s and dementia facilities by taking a dip in his local pool.
John Thompson, who was a piper in the 1st Royal Highland Fusiliers and lives at Craigengar Park in Livingston, swam half a mile to raise funds for six local day centres.
He completing 32 lengths in 38 minutes and raised £7398.
John, who has lived in West Lothian for 45 years, has always been fit but he trained for two months prior to the swim.
He said: “I used to be a good swimmer in my day but people were clearly worried when they heard YD about the swim.
“I found it funny that the manager of the Xcite swimming pool had three life guards on duty when I was the only one in the pool.
“I have received a lot of support from the local community, including my friends and neighbours at Bield and son, who came along on the day to cheer me on.
“I am overwhelmed by the donations that have flooded in from friends, businesses and 23 local councillors.
“One man gave my wife a cheque in an envelope while she was at Almondell Country Park Visitors Centre and asked her to pass it on to me.
“We didn’t know how much the cheque had been written for and were very surprised when we opened it. My wife had been walking about with £1000 in her purse all day.
“The money should go a long way in helping to support Alzheimer’s and dementia facilities in and around West Lothian.”
The money raised by John will be used to provide entertainment for the centres’ regulars, as well as for excursions and days out.
Funds will also be put aside to decorate walls in the centres.
John said: “I began to raise money when I came out of the army. I had been kept busy 24/7 and when I came out I had all of this time on my hands.
“Initially I just want something to do and to keep busy and it’s snowballed from there.
“For the past five years I have only raised money for West Lothian services. With all the cuts in council tax I wanted to help the services and charities that have lost a lot of their council funding.
“I choose charities that are important to me. I feel that those with dementia, Alzheimer’s or special needs are often left behind or forgotten and that’s an awful thing.
“In October I’m participating in an abseiling fundraiser for centres in West Lothian who provide services for adults with special needs.”
I found it funny that they had three life guards on duty when I was the only one in the pool
John Thompson