Swimming the Channel

TWO inspirational Coleraine ten-year-olds have nearly completed the mammoth task of swimming the Channel in lengths in their swimming pool to raise money for charity…

Oliver Dickey and Ethan Pollock, embarked on their admirable pursuit to swim 1400 lengths, which equates to 21 miles, at Signature Swimming Club in May of this year.

They started out with the hope of raising £1000 for NI Children to Lapland at Coleraine Grammar School under the guidance of their coach Sindy Stewart, but on a recent fundraising ferry ride to Scotland on which Oliver who lives with Cerebral Palsy and Ethan who has Spina Bifida, walked the distance between NI and Scotland using canes and a wheelchair, the boys met Jim Burke from Ballyclare-based Hagan Homes who kindly offered to double the funds the pair raise.

The boys will complete their swimming challenge this evening and keeping them inspired to finish the final lengths are memories of their own experience with Northern Ireland Children to Lapland Trust.

The charity, which takes children living with life limiting conditions to Santa Park in Roveniemi, in Finland has planned its next trip for 17 December when over 100 children will be gifted with the experience.

Speaking about the boys’ venture, swimming coach Sindy Stewart said: “Swimming 21 miles even in instalments, over six months, is a daunting prospect. But, when you are living with limited mobility from the waist down, the task becomes almost superhuman. The boys had previously travelled with the charity on their annual trip to Lapland and wanted other children to have the same magical experience.”

Ethan said: “I would like other children to experience what we have.”

Oliver added: “I’m happy that we have will be able to make other sick boys and girls and their families happy!”

Recently, Coleraine defender Lyndon Kane went down to help count the boys’ lengths and he congratulated the pair for their commitment.

“I would just like to congratulate Oliver and Ethan on completing their lengths of the pool challenge,” he said.

“This is an amazing achievement from the two of them and they are an absolute credit to themselves.

“I went and watched first hand and counted the lengths for them and I was tired watching them!

“The level of commitment they showed was brilliant, they made it so competitive between each other and it helped push them on.

“Completing this shows the determination levels these two have and they can certainly be proud of themselves.”

If you would like to join in the celebrations and support Oliver and Ethan as they complete their swimming challenge this evening, it will take place at 7pm at Coleraine Grammar School (22-33 Castlerock Road BT51 3LA).

To boost Oliver and Ethan’s efforts further please log on HERE.