Talented able bodied and disabled young swimmers have been honoured at a special ceremony for overcoming their difficulties in the water.

Six children were presented with certificates celebrating their outstanding progress at the Dorchester Sports Centre, at a ceremony which also honoured the work of the Dorchester Swimming Baths Trust.

The Dorchester Baths Trust has played a significant role in promoting swimming in the area and donated trophies which were awarded to two of the young swimmers.

Chairman of the Trust Les Phillips presented the children with their awards.

Three of the children are members of the Rainbow Swim Academy and three are from the Aiming High Programme, which is for children with disabilities.

All of them have been singled out for overcoming either their lack of confidence, fear in the water or the difficulties experienced due to their disabilities.

One of the kids to win a trophy was Ronaldo, who has cerebral palsy and is a wheelchair user.

He has been a regular swimmer at Dorchester Sports Centre, run by 1610 leisure trust, for several years and can now swim for most of his Aiming High sessions with no assistance from a member of staff.

Another child to be presented with a trophy was Ben, who came to the Rainbow Swim Academy last September.

He was very scared of leaving his mum Sharon and panicked when near the water, but with the help of the team at the Dorchester Sports Centre and his mum he has developed his confidence and can now swim a length with aids. 

One other child from the Rainbow Swim Academy was Lucy, who started swimming as a very nervous four year-old, but has built up her confidence and is now described as a very competent swimmer.

The three other children to win awards for their hard work were Charlie and Daniel, from the Aiming High Programme, and Henry from the Rainbow Academy.

Les Phillips said: “We are delighted to be able to reward local children who have progressed so well with their swimming. It really is what the trust is all about, it is essential that everyone, particularly children, can swim and enjoy being in the water.”

He added the trust would continue to back young people to achieve their potential and to promote swimming in the area.

1610 Swim and Sports Development Manager, Ricky Hayes said: “Awards ceremonies don’t always have to be about who is the strongest or the fastest but this ceremony really celebrates what the children have achieved in overcoming disability or fear of the water.”