CHESTER City Baths are hoping to provide 20 children who might otherwise not be able to learn to swim a place on their new swimming course, but funding is needed.

The Union Street swimming baths, which first opened in 1900, is currently owned and maintained by the Chester Swimming Association, a charity which relies on fundraising and donations to pay for its upkeep. Whilst £10,000 has already been raised for the scheme, the team are hoping to reach its target of £11,500 before Christmas day.

The scheme will focus on local primary school children who are in receipt of free school meals.

Trevor Warner, Chester City Baths Company Secretary said: "Not all children can learn to swim, either due to financial difficulties or because their school does not offer it. We believe that the ability to swim is an essential skill that must be learned at a young age."

Chester City Baths has already granted free short, intensive courses to more than 60 disadvantaged children in the last two years, but to become fully proficient in the water can take up to eighteen months of weekly lessons.

Trevor continues: "If we secure the final £1,500 of funding this will be a fantastic opportunity for 20 children who might otherwise go through life being unable to swim. We’re so close to reaching our target, we just need a final push! We’d love to make some Christmas dreams come true this year."

The community swimming baths was able to reopen its Pacific Pool earlier this year with the help of donations and has shown itself to be a vital resource for local people like Tracey Hale, who was able to recover from the effects of Covid and pneumonia through swimming.

For information on how to donate and more about the Baths' fundraiser visit: Teach Children to Swim - Chester Baths.