For 2024, STA is running a year-long charity campaign called CommUNITY STArters, which is directly aimed at supporting not-for-profit organisations or groups; to help them start or boost a community-based grassroots swimming / water safety / aquatics related project.

As part of this campaign, each month in 2024, one organisation / group / project will be chosen to receive a £1000 charity grant from STA, and we are delighted to confirm that the recipient of the May award is Kingfishers Swim School Fund in Rochford.

The Kingfisher Swim School recently set up this charitable fund to support families in Rochford who are facing financial hardship to enable them to attend swimming lessons. They use their charity funds to offer free lessons to local children, who would otherwise be unable to learn, through school contact, especially those who receive pupil premium funding. They also offer free vital equipment (goggles, new swimwear) for those who cannot afford it.

In addition, through the Kingfishers Swim School Fund they also provide special transition classes for children with anxiety and moderate learning difficulties to help them integrate into mainstream swimming classes.

Ali Beckman, STA’s President said; “This month I have chosen the Kingfishers Swim School Fund because of the amazing work they do in their community. With our CommUNITY STArters funding, they can continue to support families who are missing out on vital lifesaving skills due to financial hardship. Congratulations to Kingfishers Swim School for taking the initiative to support these families.”

click to apply for a CommUNITY STArters grant