Fantastic start to kids' summer swim campaign; GET OUR KIDS IN THE SWIM!

Byline: By Lucy Lynch

NEARLY 40 children are this week learning to swim thanks to an Evening Telegraph campaign.

They have signed up to become the first graduates of our summer school which aims to get more youngsters learning the basics of safety in the water.

The initiative - being run in conjunction with the Coventry Sports Trust - has got off to a great start with 40 youngsters taking part in starter lessons during the first week.

The idea is to encourage parents to sign up their children for the trust's week-long swimming crash courses using a discount coupon in the Evening Telegraph.

The trust runs sports centres across Coventry, including the Fairfax Street baths in the city centre.

The campaign will give children a head start in learning a skill that will help them to stay safe, keep fit and have fun with their friends.

The first week-long crash courses of the summer holidays began on Monday, July 31.

There were 24 children at the pool at Ernesford Grange School and Community College in Princethorpe Way, Coventry, and 15 children at the pool at Foxford Community Arts College in Ansells Drive, Longford, Coventry.

Coventry Sports Trust development manager Mary Hopkins said that the sessions were proving extremely popular thanks to the campaign.

And she urged mums and dads to get their children signed up for the remaining crash courses which will continue through August.

She said: "Taking part could be a life saver. There are still places open for children and there is time to sign up for this vital campaign."

They are open to children of five and above and will also be taking place at Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre in Fairfax Street, Coventry city centre and Tile Hill Wood School in Nutbrook Avenue, Tile Hill.

CAPTION(S):

D34621_4 FLOATING FUN... Instructor Debbie Deehan helps little Erin Forbes during a lesson at Ernesford Grange School. Picture: Mark Radford