Free Swim Programme Receives Big Boost From the Potter Masonic Trust

Thursday, 28 November 2013: Community Swim, the flagship programme of the John Walker FIND YOUR FIELD OF DREAMS Foundation (FYFOD), received a big boost this week with a donation of $75,000 from the Potter Masonic Trust.

Find Your Field of Dreams General Manager, Rick Pickard, says the “generous cash injection by The Potter Masonic Trust will enable the Foundation to continue to provide 7 FREE swim lessons to around 18,000 year 3, 4, 5 and 6 youngsters, from more than 80 primary schools across Auckland south.

“The programme costs more than $420,000 to run including pool entry, free bus transport to and from school for the pupils and no charge for the lessons,” he says. “We are indebted to our principal partner, The Lion Foundation, for their substantial support over the last five years, which is continuing. Now with this generous contribution, the sustainability of the programme can be ensured.”

David Mace, ONZM, said the Potter Masonic Trust was delighted to support Sir John Walker’s Foundation and the Community Swim programme. “It takes our investment across a range of children’s activities this year to around $500,000. Mr Mace is a
distinguished Freemason and has held senior ranks in the Order in New Zealand and Hong Kong, including a term as Grand Master of the Order in New Zealand.

He says Freemasonry is the longest established philanthropic organization in New Zealand.

Since the start of the ground-breaking FREE swim programme in late 2008, just months after FYFOD was established, thousands of Manukau children aged 7-10 are well on their way to achieving the target of being able to swim 200 metres. The programme recently marked a major milestone with the delivery of its 500,000th FREE swim lesson.

Mr Pickard says the Foundation has been fortunate that its programme delivery and funding partners “have shared our vision of providing the opportunities for young people to pursue their sporting dream.

“We are very grateful for the continued support of Auckland Council, The Lion Foundation, the professional instructors at Swimgym who deliver these lessons and The Potter Masonic Trust.”

“The feedback we get from schools that take part in the programme, teachers and parents is incredibly positive. The most recent survey shows that 98% of pupils report they feel more confident in the water and almost 90% have improved their swimming ability as a result of their involvement in Community Swim. Schools report the programme is extremely well run and highly effective.”

Foundation founder, Sir John Walker says The Potter Masonic Trust funding assistance will “go a long way to help us ensure youngsters in the region get the chance to pursue their sporting dreams. And if we can help save one person from drowning, it makes the swim programme worthwhile.”

“Swimming is an essential life skill,” he says. “In the south, where many youngsters don’t have access to pools or swimming lessons, we identified Community Swim as a priority. Since its introduction there has been an increase in junior swim club membership and schools report that absenteeism is greatly reduced on the days students are involved in the swimming activity.

“And while pool capacity can be an issue because of the success and popularity of the programme, this has been partly resolved with the purchase of a portable pool and we are looking to expand our portable pool resources to enable the Foundation to deliver free swim lessons to young people in Auckland’s areas of greatest need.”

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