Edinburgh Leisure staff jump in to support essential swimming lesons

Ten staff from Edinburgh Leisure splashed out on Friday to help raise money to fund essential swimming lessons for children from disadvantaged backgrounds in Edinburgh. The staff took part in Edinburgh Leisure’s first ever major fundraising ’10 x 10 Swim Challenge’, which involves a team of 10 staff, swimming 1km each in all 10 of Edinburgh Leisure’s pools in one day.

The September challenge has also been taken on by Edinburgh Leisure members and others across the city. All sponsorship raised will help to continue to fund the ‘Jump In’ project, which gives pre-school swimming lessons for nursery pupils living in areas of multiple deprivation in the city.

The team were supported by Landmarc Support who supplied transport and refreshments for the team. Landmarc’s Regional Operations Manager for Scotland, Kevin Kneeshaw said: “Jump In is a great initiative so we’re really pleased we could be involved by transporting the swimmers between each of the ten locations. We hope this challenge has helped to raise awareness of this vital project to support essential swimming lessons for disadvantaged children.”

Andrew Stephenson, Funding Officer at Edinburgh Leisure explained: “Since the ‘Jump In’ project started in 2012, it has taught 1,500 nursery school children affected by poverty to swim, embedding crucial life skills that keeps children safe around water by improving their water confidence and swimming ability.

“All the team taking part have got involved because they believe every child should have the chance to swim, but sadly not everyone gets that opportunity. As a charity, Edinburgh Leisure relies on funding from trusts, companies and individuals to keep this project going.”

The Edinburgh Leisure team members were: 

Andrew Maguire       Royal Commonwealth Pool swim coordinator

Laura Fallon             Portobello Pool swim coordinator

Julia Weir                Ainslie Park Leisure Centre swim coordinator

Sean Melvin             Warrender Swim Centre swim teacher

Jon Duff                  Leith Victoria swim teacher

William Maguire        Drumbrae Leisure Centre Leisure Attendant

Elliot Hughes            Drumbrae Leisure Centre Leisure Attendant

Jamie Murray           Drumbrae Leisure Centre Leisure Attendant

Mitchell Anderson      Glenogle Leisure Centre Leisure Attendant

Marie Kneeshaw        Edinburgh Leisure Aquatics Development Officer