Brave youngsters rewarded for their prowess in the pool

A Rose Green girl who shrugged off a cut head to learn to swim has won an award.

Mia Cunningham-Stockdale injured herself on the poolside on her first lesson. Her instructor, Sue Eason, thought she would never see her again.

But Mia, seven, of Stapleton Court, amazed her by turning up the next week. She showed Sue her scar and plunged into the water to begin learning to swim.

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Equally determined is fellow award winner Aaron Gray, eight, who swims at the Bognor Regis 5-11 Club under instructor Laura Brown.

Aaron, of Fir Tree Walk, North Bersted, found change difficult, especially moving classes, but he overcame his fears to become the best swimmer in his class. He continues to improve at a fast rate.

The children's bravery and hard work was recognised when they each received a Southern Water learn to swim achiever of the year award from Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew. He presented Mia and Aaron with a medal, a certificate and a bag of swimming goodies.

He said: 'Both children have achieved so much despite their initial difficulties. It is vital that children living at seaside towns like Bognor have the necessary skills to be safe in water. Drowning is still the third biggest cause of accidental death in this country.'

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The award winners are chosen by instructors from across the region and are children who have shown great courage in overcoming particular difficulties or for exceptional performance.

Each year sees 50 awards given from among the 40,000 children taking part across the south east.

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