On Friday 1st April 2022, the swimmers of Kirkcudbright Amateur Swimming Club, known as the otters, took part in a Sponsored Swim to raise funds to help the crisis in Ukraine.
Laura Shaw, Membership Secretary said “It was something the swimmers, parents, coaches and Committee felt strongly about and we wanted to do something to help. As small club of 36 swimmers, we just wanted to help in our own little way and swimming is what we do best. So, the Committee and Coaches decided to hold a Sponsored Swim.”
“We decided to swim the distance between Kirkcudbright and Kyiv (2,356km) in metres.”
“Our senior swimmers would swim the full distance – 118 lengths and our junior swimmers would work in pairs to cover the distance between them. The event was an astounding success. After not being able to compete for two years, due to the Pandemic, it was finally something we could all do together and the atmosphere was electric.”
“Every swimmer swam their distance with enthusiasm and determination.”
“Parents baked cakes to raise extra funds at a bake sale and they also counted each swimmer’s laps. The coaches gave great advice and encouraged the swimmers until the final lap. The Committee organised the event and spread the word on Social Media, which meant members of the community could come and support our event.”
“After the final collection of all Sponsorship and the funds from the bake sale, our small club in rural South-West Scotland managed to raise a whopping £3,454.10.”
“Early on in the organisation of the event, we decided to give the funds to a Dumfries based charity, MOOL (Massive Outpouring of Love) as we knew Ukrainian refugees would be arriving in the area and thought these funds would help them enormously.”
“On Monday 16 th May 2022, David Formstone, the Chair of MOOL, came to our Club, based at Kirkcudbright Swimming Pool, where he was presented with the cheque.”
“David was delighted that we chose MOOL and explained to the swimmers and Committee how vital the funds would be to help any Ukrainian Refugees coming to Dumfries and Galloway.”
“It just shows that a small idea can turn into something truly magnificent if you just try.”
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