A SWIMMING club which has been running for more than 100 years has benefited from vital Covid-19 funding

Rhyl Dolphins Amateur Swimming Club has been granted £566 from the Swimathon Foundation’s Covid-19 Relief Fund.

The foundation have distributed £50,000 across 101 clubs in the UK to mitigate loss of income whilst pools are closed and sessions are unable to take place.

The club has been running since 1896. It received centenary recognition from Swim Wales in 2018 and runs eight swimming sessions a week for 111 members aged seven to 70 plus.

Anita Barker, from Rhyl Dolphins Amateur Swimming Club, said: “In terms of the grant, we really appreciate the financial support because these are uncertain times at the moment and its one of those things that we were pleased to be considered for. It goes a long way to helping the club.

“Like every other club, I don’t suppose we know when we are going to go back into the pool because being in Wales its slightly different from government response in England so it’s just one of those things.

"This funding has enabled us to hopefully survive a bit more as a club really.

"We don’t know who is going to come back from our numbers but we’ve been going 123 years now, through thick and thin, so it’s all good news.”

Fundraising is key to the club who host an annual Chris Clements Memorial Gala and take part in regular bag packing. Both activities are on pause due to the pandemic

The Swimathon Foundation grant will help cover the costs of outstanding pool fees and bridge the gap upon the club’s return.

Anthony Kendall, chair of the Swimathon Foundation, said: “In these difficult times for all swimming organisations, the Swimathon Foundation has been determined to play its part in supporting those smaller, local groups that are the foundation of swimming participation throughout the UK.

"We have been taken aback by the number of people who need help during these unprecedented times and that is why we have increased our overall donation to £50,000.

"Swimming is a vital community activity and we are proud to play our part.”