Funding helps Teesdale swimmers reach national finals

Swimmers from Teesdale Special Olympics team will attend a national swimming gala later this month thanks to funding from county councillors.

Declan Haughney, Adam Rowntree, Erica Dixon and Jonathan Taylour will be travelling to Birmingham to take part in the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games on August 26.

Councillors Richard Bell and Chris Foote-Wood contributed a combined £400 from their neighbourhood budget to help cover travel expenses, subsistence and entrance fees for the competition.

The team currently practice weekly at Teesdale Leisure centre with Jonathan doing backstroke and breaststroke, Declan backstroke and crawl and Adam and Erica specialising in the butterfly.

Teesdale’s Special Olympics was formed in 1997 and is currently led by Jonathan’s mum Christine.

She said: “I went to volunteer at a national games in Portsmouth and that was it, I was hooked.

“My eyes were opened. I couldn’t believe what I saw, just absolutely amazing.

“They take it so purposefully. It has just given them a life.

“Now every gala they go to they have got friends from all over the country.

“They are dedicated, completely dedicated.

“Jonathan went to the World Games in Los Angeles and came back with three medals. He swam for his country.”

Erica’s dad Peter added: “They get involved in different sports as well.

“They are competitive without being competitive.”