Disabled swimmers receive royal award
GUERNSEY Disability Swimming members were proud to show Lt-Governor Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder what their charity was all about as he presented them with their Queen’s Award.
The award is the equivalent of an MBE, which is awarded to a charity.
Roger Allsopp, one of the charity’s directors, said the presentation at Beau Sejour had been a great chance for Sir Ian to meet the group members and see how they benefited from swimming.
‘It’s just a remarkable experience and we really want the Lt-Governor to see it in action, because there is such joy,’ he said.
‘It’s palpable. I think he was impressed. It was really lovely and he talked to everybody.’
The group has about 40 members, with about 30 attending regularly, as well as more than a dozen helpers, who ensure everything goes smoothly.
They enjoy an hour of swimming each Thursday, with a focus on providing privacy, fun and exercise.
The group was started many years ago by Ruth Parsons for her son and a handful of other people with disabilities. Five years ago the charity was set up and has grown from strength to strength since then.
It is a Guernsey company limited by guarantee.
It helps people of all ages, with a wide range of disabilities.
The swimmers have sometimes taken on challenges, such as member Kiri Knight, who is blind, who swam across Grand Havre accompanied by Channel swimmer and charity director Adrian Sarchet.
‘The swimmers take on challenges and they achieve them,’ Mr Allsopp said.
‘They go from just swimming to swimming really well.’
Mr Allsopp said the group would not be what it was without the help from dedicated team of volunteers, which includes young people and Channel swimmers among their ranks.
