Redrow Southern Counties has stepped up to support SWISH Swim School in Gillingham with a £900 donation which will aid local children with additional needs in learning to swim.

SWISH Swim School, a charity teaching children in North Dorset and Shaftesbury for over 15 years, has seen a rise in the number of children who require extra help in the pool following the pandemic.

The swim school, which caters to more than 650 swimmers, has faced challenges, particularly among older children, as they struggle in group environments.

Redrow’s donation will help over 60 children, aged 4-17, by enabling the purchase of additional swimming aids and providing more one-to-one lessons. The donation will also be used to enhance the skills of SWISH’s teachers.

Lauren Morris, Coordinator at SWISH Swim School, expressed her gratitude for the donation, saying: “Learning how to swim is an important milestone for children, and we’re proud to play such a big role in our community.

“Since the pandemic, we’ve seen more children struggle in the pool, which requires additional resources to help them learn. Redrow’s donation will ensure that even more children learn how to swim and make sure no child is left behind.”

This donation is part of Redrow Southern Counties’ Community Fund, launched this year to support local schools, organisations, and groups. The housebuilder is also investing in surrounding areas, including contributions to education, healthcare, transport, and affordable housing.

Mark Vanson, Sales Director at Redrow Southern Counties, added: “Centres like SWISH Swim School are vital to our communities, teaching important skills and bringing people together. We are delighted to help them support children and young people in the pool.”

SWISH Swim School is located near Redrow’s Royal Oaks development, a collection of energy-efficient homes in Gillingham.

The three to five-bedroom homes are part of Redrow’s most advanced designs, featuring air source heat pumps and underfloor heating on the ground floor.

Located just 10 minutes from the A350 and five minutes from Gillingham railway station, Royal Oaks offers easy access to nearby towns such as Warminster and Bournemouth. Interested buyers can visit the new sales cabin or find more information on Redrow’s website.