A GROUP of children were able to swim for the first time in their lives thanks to a grant.
Children who are fed via a tube made a splash at Bitterne Park Leisure Centre on Sunday as they enjoyed a private pool session.
Organised by charity Face Everything and Rise, the event was made possible through a £4,000 grant from Wave105’s Cash for Kids.
The money will also go towards monthly swim sessions for a year for the children from September.
Joanne Shepherd travelled from Gosport with her daughter Anna, 14, who relies on parenteral nutrition.
Joanne said: “Anna has swum before, but going swimming is always a challenge.
“If your child has something really rare you have only got the internet to use for answers and you don’t know what solutions are right.
“Today, we can meet people and find out what they do.
“The monthly swimming sessions would be really good to attend too, especially if Anna meets someone she has a connection with.
“It’s really helpful to meet other people.”
READ NEXT: Five places to go to with the kids this summer for free or under a fiver
Christine Aukolls and her wife Laura from Eastleigh were excited to get involved, alongside their children Tristan and Joscelyn.
Christine said: “We have come here today to support Kim (the organiser) as she has done something amazing.
“It’s really important for people to come together and this is absolutely incredible. Kim has risen to the challenge and she is a real inspiration to everyone.”
Organiser Kim Purkis from Face Everything and Rise said it’s important children and adults who rely on being fed through a tube meet each other outside of the hospital setting.
The Romsey resident said: “This is the first time we are bringing people from the south together and it has never been done before.
“We spend a lot of time in hospital, so this is an opportunity to bring people together.
“It is nice they can all go in the water, especially without the fear of being stared at when swimming in public.
“Some children don’t feel comfortable swimming but here they will. Today is a fun day where people who are fed through a tube can meet other people.”
A message from the editor
Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support.
Subscribing means you have unrestricted access to the latest news and reader rewards - all with an advertising-light website.
Don't take my word for it – subscribe here to see for yourself.
Looking to advertise an event? Then check out our free events guide.
Want to keep up with the latest news and join in the debate? You can find and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here