Covid relief fund gives Crawley Swimming Club vital boost

Crawley Swimming Club applied for the grant as part of Swimathon Foundation’s second Covid-19 Relief Fund, announced in February, to mitigate loss of income whilst pools are closed.

The club is one of the oldest and most successful swimming and water polo clubs in Sussex, and a very important part of the local community.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the club suffered a large loss after cancelling their Spring Gala in 2020, as well as losing a number of members due to changing employment situations.

Through the grant, the club will be able to subsidise some membership for those hardest hit by the pandemic, and hopefully plan to host galas once restrictions allow.

Ron Philpot, Director of Swimming at the club, said: “This funding is vital for us, as it will help us support some of our family members who will have trouble with their club fees when we go back and help them stay in the sport they love.

“We are excited to be returning and gathering our members across the community to get once again involved in the sport of swimming whilst helping their health and wellbeing.

“It is important that our club gives everybody the opportunity to meet socially whilst competing and training amongst their peers, friends, coaches, and volunteers, all of whom have missed the chlorine environment over the last 12 months.”

Swimathon Foundation has awarded grants to 148 swimming and aquatic clubs, schools, and organisations from its 2021 Covid-19 Relief Fund.

The Foundation launched its first Fund in May 2020 in response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the swimming community across Britain.

Having awarded £50,000 of grants from this first Fund to over 100 organisations and individuals last year, the Foundation realised additional support was required and released a further £30,000 to aid the swimming community.

In total just over 250 organisations/individuals have been supported.

For more information, visit swimathonfoundation.org.