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 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.
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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.”
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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.”
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