Crowdfunding plea to help Wisbech swimmers get back in the Water

Wisbech Swimming Club has launched a Crowdfunding page and is hoping to raise £5,000 to help its members enjoy an affordable return to the sport.

The government announced that swimming pools could reopen from July 25, but having frozen membership fees since March, the club has had no income and has launched the fundraiser to make fees affordable for members.

Plans are now in place to enable a swift, safe return and the club, after discussion with Freedom Leisure, expects to begin sessions at its Hudson Leisure Centre home again on July 27.

A survey of club members has revealed a large and eager majority of swimmers looking forward to being back in the water.

Club chairman Matt Hunter says the survey results were particularly encouraging, but warns of challenges ahead.

“However well we plan, we know there will be difficulties to overcome, not least with funding. We decided not to charge membership fees while the pool was closed and with the amount of water time available to us likely to change over the coming weeks, it’s impossible to know how much our fixed costs are going to be.

“Because of that and to help ensure greater financial security as we enter into the first stage of recovery, we’ve set up a Crowdfunding page, with a target of £5,000.

"We understand that some families have concerns not only over the welfare of their swimmers as they return to the Hudson Centre, but also worries over the affordability of the swimming we’ll initially be able to offer.

"We’re working hard to do our best for everyone. We know we’ll have to accept compromises over the first few weeks back in the pool, but we’re hoping the money raised through Crowdfunding will help us through some of these challenges.”

Recognised for achieving exceptional competition results despite its small size, Wisbech Swimming Club offers a teaching scheme for children as young as four, three levels of competitive squad training, masters sessions and triathlete swim training, reaching people throughout the local community and beyond.

Its Crowdfunding page can be found at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/wsc2020 and remains active until August 4.

Matt added: “Head coach Greg Marsters has kept in touch with our squad swimmers over the past three months or so through regular twice-weekly Zoom meetings, including challenges, exercise and nutrition sessions and, perhaps most importantly, communication, to keep their team spirit alive and bolster mental and physical health.

“This has kept the swimmers engaged, fit and motivated, ready to get back into the pool as soon as we can. But back in March, we made the decision to freeze membership fees, which means the club has received no fee income.

"As we prepare to return under Swim England guidelines, we know we’ll have smaller groups in our teaching and coaching sessions and our intention is that Crowdfunding donations will ultimately help keep fee levels affordable for everyone.”

Wisbech Swimming Club hopes the www.crowdfunder.co.uk/wsc2020 link will be shared beyond its membership, to local businesses, friends and families, helping ensure it is in a good financial position as its swimmers return to the sport they love.