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News Updates:

September 2019

Wyndley swimmer uses her noodle to

save 83-year old woman’s life
 

One of our swimmers, Elaine Makinson (66) has been featured in the Sutton Observer, following an amazing, heroic rescue she performed while on holiday in Gambia. The story is even more noteworthy though, as Elaine had only learnt to swim herself 18 months ago!

While on holiday, Elaine and her partner, Andrew, were relaxing by the pool when a lady asked if she could borrow her foam noodle to use in the water (Elaine had taken her own noodle on holiday with her). The next thing she heard was screaming for help; the woman was in the middle of the deep end and struggling to stay a float. Instinctively Elaine rushed into the pool to help, she managed to manoeuvre the noodle under the lady to help her stay above the water. Her partner followed closely behind and assisted.

What is perhaps even more remarkable about this story is that Elaine has only recently overcome her own swimming fears. A year and a half ago she nervously enrolled in swimming lessons – she swam some as a child but had lost all confidence in the water. Since starting weekly swimming lessons with her swimming teacher Gill Rhodes and hasn’t looked back. Her confidence has grown and she’s made new friends along the way.
 

Wyndley Swimming Coordinator, Helen Russel-Cartwright, said: “Stories like this make my job worthwhile – and I couldn’t be prouder of Elaine and Gill. Being able to swim in a life skill that can impact upon people in the most dramatic way. To me it’s as important as being able to read or write.”

She continued: “Not only can it save lives but can enrich them too – opening up a whole new world in the water from exercising to music to snorkelling and scuba diving. I hope that Elaine’s story will inspire others to learn to swim too. We have a dedicated team of instructors here at Wyndley and it really never is too late to start lessons”.

(Quotes from Sutton Observer press release)

Adult swimming lessons are available at all 9 Birmingham Community Leisure Trust centres across the city.

Please contact the centres directly or email helen.cartwright@serco.com