Frome Lions celebrate sponsored swim success with awards

FROME Lions Club recently held a presentation night for their annual sponsored swim, which is anticipated to have raised over £6,500 once all funds are collected.  

Lion President Richard Phillips welcomed the participants and presented them with their certificates, trophies, and cheques at Frome Cricket Club’s clubhouse at the Old Showfield.  

The swim, which is one of the Lions’ longest-running events, was first held in 1986 and, in that time, has raised over £230,000 for local charities. It allows teams to raise money for their own causes as well as supporting the Lions’ designated charity. The money raised by the teams is divided between the Lions’ charity and the swimmers’ own charity or cause. For this year’s event, the Lions’ chosen charity was Mendip YMCAs Frome Youth Community Care Centre (FYCC).  

Mendip YMCA has several venues to hire in the Frome area, from small intimate rooms for 1-to-1 work to large venues. “Frome Youth and Community Centre is an activity hub in Frome for the whole town to use and love, providing an affordable, accessible venue for hire to sports and community groups. It is a hub where all generations can gather to spend their leisure time and connect with each other through joining the different groups and activities that take place there,” explained Lion, Mike Geake. 

Presentations were made to the following: John Barrow Cup, best performing school chosen by the Lion president – Trinity. 

Team under 11 completing most laps – Selwood 1, Eva’s Team, 41 laps. 

Gerald Williams Shield – most sponsorship by organisation with more than one team – Berkley School 

The Team raising most sponsorship – 4th Frome Guides 

The Team completing the most laps (non-swimming club) – Aggregate Industries, 46 laps. 

The Aggregate Industries Cup (team completing the most laps) – Warminster Swimming Club 1, 60 laps. 

Mike said, “The Lions are indebted to Aggregate Industries who once again generously sponsored the event which covered the cost of pool hire and sundry expenses which meant that all monies raised by the event goes to charity.”