PORTHCAWL’S 47th CHRISTMAS MORNING SWIM

Porthcawl Christmas Morning Swim and Porthcawl Buccaneers held their inaugural joint presentation and formal handing over of almost £11000 to the local organisations chosen to benefit by each committee. The Swim treasurer Marilyn Richards said, ‘Besides the cheques we have donated this evening we are also aware of several thousand pounds that other organisations will benefit from, as a result of a very successful ‘Swim’.

During the evening on 3 February Porthcawl Carnival’s Kerry Marlow presented cheques to Sandville, Porthcawl Counseling Service, Bro Morgannwg Baby Loss Support, Porthcawl Athletic, Fire Fighters Charity, Porthcawl Coastguard Unit, National Deaf Children’s Society, HCPT Group 55 and a charity chosen by Porthcawl Ukelele Band.

The largest donation was made to the Swim’s main beneficiary, Wales Air Ambulance. Also receiving cheques from the Chairman of the Swim, Nicola Willis, were the following local organisations, Porthcawl and Pyle Pumas Amateur Boxing Club, Porthcawl Stroke Club, Ogwr & District Talking Newspaper Association, Porthcawl Mayor’s Civic Fund, Trinity Care Club, Porthcawl Athletic Club, Newton Lifeguard Club, Porthcawl YMCA, Porthcawl Parkinson’s Support Group, Sker and Pink Bay Lifeguard Club, Porthcawl Kidney Research and Rest Bay Lifeguard Club.

Spokesman for the Organisers, Ian Stroud told guests, ‘Thanks to the generosity shown by swimmers and spectators on Christmas Morning we had our best ever bucket collection. Our funds were also boosted more than normal this year as quite a number of swimmers raised money for us via sponsorship. Added with the money raised by our committee before Christmas, this all helped to boost the amount we were able to donate. The following organisations were also presented with a donation by Deputy Mayor of Porthcawl, Councillor Alana Davies in thanks for their help with safety during the Swim; St. John Ambulance, Porthcawl Coastguard Association, The Fire Service Benevolent Fund, Porthcawl Lifeguard Club and Porthcawl RNLI Lifeboat’.

Nicola Willis said ‘As an organising committee we were delighted in the way we have been supported again this year. We would like to thank all swimmers, spectators, individuals, businesses and organisations who help us in so many ways to make the swim such a successful event in Porthcawl’s calendar. During the months leading up to this year’s event we had meetings with and merged with Porthcawl Buccaneers. From our perspective this has been a positive move and we look forward to drawing on each other strengths to support both Porthcawl’s Carnival and the Swim’.

Commenting on the evening the Buccaneer’s Martin Owen said, ‘There was tremendous goodwill demonstrated at the presentation and whilst we and the swim committee consider we work hard to put on our respective events many of our guests, representing local organisations, spend many hours for the benefit of our community and we were very pleased to offer them some financial help’.