Swimming group founder appears on the One Show
GUERNSEY Swim All Seasons group founder Min Henry said she was humbled by her appearance on BBC’s the One Show last week, when viewers saw her taken by surprise in Thursday’s ‘One Big Thank You’ section.
Presenter John Craven and a crew recorded the segment in February, when about 100 members of GSAS went to Port Grat to celebrate Mrs Henry’s achievement.
She was told the cameras were there for an episode of Countryfile and to take photos for a calendar, and was overwhelmed when she learned the truth.
There was a special screen set up on the beach on which members of the group were shown paying tribute to Mrs Henry, as well as messages from celebrities Ronan Keating and Mel Giedroyc, plus a surprise appearance by Mrs Henry’s grandchildren.
‘I never thought that a 58-year-old granny would be part of this,’ she said.
‘It’s such a privilege and honour. Thank you.’
Mrs Henry watched her appearance on the programme on an iPad as she headed home from holiday and said she was looking forward to seeing it on a bigger screen. She had been moved by what was said.
‘I was humbled and emotional to hear that I was so warmly thought of,’ she said.
‘Hearing people’s thoughts was very touching.’
It was a world away from the small group of eight or so people who met at Pembroke for the first swim in November 2020, she said.
What has delighted her most was the friendships that have grown.
‘People that did not know each other have bonded and tell me often, that it has changed their lives.’
It changed hers, too, she said: ‘I love people and know what it is like to feel that you don’t always fit in physically or mentally in social situations, and somehow our members feel so comfortable to be themselves at our group swims.
‘I have never known a more friendly, all-inclusive, welcoming group, who will share their flask, bring cake and swim or bob and you can usually hear people laughing before you see them.’
It did not matter what physical shape people were in. Mrs Henry said the welcome board was always out at the swims, giving people a focal point to introduce themselves and their daily Buddy Groups posts on the Facebook page.
‘I love our group and all the hugs and support we give each other.’
She said, with the water getting warmer, people should not put off what they could do today, and go along to the group – ‘and feel free to be you’.
