Children team up to create fundraising video in support of local swimming club

Hackney Aquatics Club has launched a new video made by local children to support its Crowdfunder campaign.

For the project, Hackney Aquatics swimmers took selfies during lockdown and recorded their responses to two questions: Why do you swim? and What do you miss most about swimming while the pools are closed? The resulting video is entirely made by children, including editing and music.

Hackney Aquatics represents around 350 swimmers from Hackney and the surrounding areas of Islington, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Waltham Forest and Haringey. 

The club is committed to the idea that every young person in East London should have an opportunity to swim. It has a wide range of swimmers including a thriving para squad of 10 swimmers and a strong master squad.

The club’s bursary scheme supports one in five of their swimmers, helping them with training costs, travel and gala entry fees.

The pandemic has had a significant impact on the club’s finances, prompting it to launch the Crowdfunder campaign to help secure its future.

Chris Ogden, club Chair, said: “Our swimmers represent one of the most diverse swim clubs in the UK: they are resilient, talented and determined. Our coaches are dedicated to keeping these relationships going but like all youth organisations, we’re facing a frightening gap in our income. We need our partners, funders, parents/carers and local communities to work with us. If we work together, we will survive.”

The appeal runs from 28 February until 4 April 2021.