Funding boost keeps young people swimming in Harwich

26th March 2025

Volunteers at the Harwich, Dovercourt and Parkeston Swimming Club are to keep their vital skills at the highest standard, helping swimmers stay safe and reach their full potential, thanks to a grant of £5,000.

The money has been given to the club by the Milsom Charitable Fund, so that the volunteers can continue to have training and coaching courses to maintain their expertise.

Set up 20 years ago to support local good causes, the fund is managed through us, ensuring that monies are distributed in accordance to their wishes.

The grant for the swimming club has been given a warm welcome by Danielle Pickersgill, a member of the pool committee.

She said: “We are thrilled to receive this funding. The pool is a place where individuals and families can come to enjoy swimming and water-based activities, so it is important that our volunteers are trained to the highest standards to ensure safety for all.

“We also run competitions in our Olympic sized pool, and we have some very talented young swimmers.  Offering appropriate coaching can help them improve and achieve their goals.”

The pool is part of the Dovercourt Bay Lifestyles centre, which also includes state-of-the-art fitness facilities, as well as a full sized astro-pitch for football and hockey players of all ages.

Paul Milsom, Managing Director of Milsoms Hotels and Restaurants said: “We are committed to supporting local charities in the Harwich area through our fund with ECF.  The pool is a great resource for families and a place where children can make friends while keeping fit and healthy.

“Our own children, Charlie and Jack, are both keen swimmers and competed on the school’s circuit when they were younger.  It is great that we can give some support that will ensure more children can benefit from using the pool at Dovercourt.”

The Milsom Charitable Fund was established in 2005 by Paul and Geraldine Milsom after Paul’s father Gerald died.

Gerald was a larger-than-life character and was a great supporter of charitable causes.  Paul and Geraldine are carrying on his legacy through their fund with ECF and, as they have a long association with Harwich through their business at The Pier, they regularly give support to voluntary and community organisations working in the area, particularly those working with young people.  Since the fund was set up it has given grants totalling more than £35,000.

To find out more about setting up a charitable fund in your name or, if you are a charity or voluntary group, how to apply for a grant, call us on 01245 355947, or email perry.norton@essexcf.org.uk