Less kids taking free swim lessons Kind nursery children fundraise for hospital
Fewer children are taking advantage of free swimming lessons offered by West Lothian Council.
The latest figures are the lowest recorded and less than half of the peak figures recorded in 2013/14.
The council’s Culture and Leisure Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel heard that 2,248 children were assessed through the Learn to Swim Plus Programme over 2017/18 academic session.
Of that number 649 were assessed as non-swimmers and offered the crash course coaching through school holidays.
This year 69, or 10 per cent, took up the offer and progressed to level 3 - being able to swim a breadth of the pool.
This compares with 112 in the 2015/ 16 and 103 in 2016/17.
A report to the PDSP noted: “This is the lowest figure recorded and less than half of the highest percentage recorder during academic year 2013/14 of 23.6 per cent.” Pyramids, who didn’t need much encouragement to indulge.
The staff also played their part with Joanne and Amy taking part in Pretty Muddy, and who were also joined by nursery owner Carol for a sponsored Most Haunted Sleepover.
The nursery cook, Maria, joined in by baking a fantastic Christmas Cake decorated with a mischievous elf which was raffled.
All of this effort certainly paid off, with a grand total of £1600 being raised for the oncology department at the Livingston hospital.
Carol said: “Every year I am always amazed by how much money is raised, having first hand experience of the work carried out in the unit, I know they will put every penny to good use.
“Of course none of this would be possible without the tremendous support we get from the children, parents, staff and not to mention all of the staff within the Pyramids.
“Every time we raise funds for Charity everyone in the building supports us, and sacrifices putting on those extra pounds thanks to all of the children’s baking.”