Warrington Disability Partnership

25-mile 'Splash for Cash' success in our 25th anniversary year

We clocked up more than 25 miles during our annual 'Going the Extra Mile' sponsored swimathon in this, our 25th anniversary year!

Thirty-four swimmers took part in Saturday’s fundraiser at the Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub, with our Sports and Leisure Coordinator, Stacey King, completing the final two-and-a-half miles of her personal 25-mile challenge. The 21-year-old from Dallam’s impressive feat raised £200 for WDP — part of an overall sponsorship total of £2,000.

Our delighted Chief Executive Officer, Dave Thompson MBE DL, personally swam 64 lengths — the full one-mile challenge — having the use of just one arm. He said: “I originally set out to swim the distance as part of a relay team of three full-time wheelchair users that included myself, our Disability Information Officer — Tom Coleridge — and Josh Morris, who is aged 10 and has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. As it was, Tom and Josh each swam 32 lengths and completed the challenge just between the two of them, which inspired me to keep going.

‘My son Gavin, my son-in-law Tommy and my 14-year-old grandson Jamie together completed four miles. Our Treasurer and Trustee, Sue Bentley MBE, her husband Steven, and WDP volunteer John Munslow all swam a mile each. Everyone — including friends of WDP Pat Pye, Kenny Holt, Patsy Kelly and Warrington Sea Cadets — pushed themselves to achieve their personal best, which is the true spirit of this event. At WDP, we believe it’s about what you CAN do — not what you can’t.

‘I would like to thank everyone who took part, including our poolside staff and volunteers; our event organiser, Janis Williams; all those who sponsored our challengers and supported us from the spectators’ gallery; LiveWire Warrington; and the Mayor and Lady Mayoress, who generously attended on the day to present our participants with their medals.”

Members of our pain management group — OWCH — collectively clocked up 158 lengths in the pool, with Wendy Pitt and her nine-year-old son Alfie doing 56 lengths between them.

“One of our ladies had not been in the swimming pool for nine years,” said the group’s co-ordinator, Brun Munslow. “To be in the water was a massive achievement in itself. They all encounter pain on a daily basis as a result of various debilitating long-term conditions, so to take part in an event like this is truly incredible. We as a charity could not be prouder of our OWCH group members; in fact, of all those who took part.”

Your donations to our Swimathon continue to be welcomed on our JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/wdpswim16

21-year-old Stacey King congratulates 10-year-old Josh Morris on his amazing achievement - swimming 32 lengths!