HEALTH: The Worthing swimming club that helps the KiDS

The Dapper Snapper club was set up at the end of last year by Lucy Keeffe, mother of 10-year-old Joshua who has the condition.

She already runs a swimming school called Swim Babies and has years of experience in helping children learn to swim.

Swimming class

Lucy, of The Estuary, Littlehampton, said: "A group for children with Down's Syndrome called Worthing KiDS asked me to do a swimming class and I was happy to.

"Quite often, our children need one-to-one attention and it can be difficult for them to focus in big groups. We only have seven children, so we can spend more time with them."

Each year, Lucy's swim school holds a fund-raising event, usually a "noodleathon", where the children have to do laps round the pool on a giant foam noodle.

Free

The money from last year's event was used to fund Dapper Snapper, and the 3,500 raised has enabled Lucy to offer the classes for free.

Most of the children in the class, which is held every Wednesday evening, are members of Worthing KiDS, although Lucy already has a waiting list of families keen to take up a place in the group.

And if Lucy is able to secure sponsorship, she would like to offer more classes for Down's Syndrome children.

She said: "I want to give the children a quality lesson and it's going very well so far.

Improving

"The reaction so far has been very good, and you only have to see the children splashing about and improving their swimming to see they're enjoying it."

Lydia Wilson, from Worthing, set up Worthing KiDS and described Dapper Snapper as "fantastic". Her son Todd, seven, is a member and she said it has really helped him.

Another parent, David Thomas from Rustington, said his eight-year-old daughter Beth had "improved greatly" since she joined and is now able to swim with only minor assistance.

Loves the water

While Heather Saunders from Angmering, has just enrolled 10-year-old daughter Alice in the swimming group. She said: "She loves swimming and she loves the water. She used to go to regular swimming lessons, but she just couldn't see the need to put the effort in.

"Here though, she seems to be engaging more so I will definitely be bringing her back."

To find out more about the group, contact Lucy on 01903 717652.

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