Young swimmers smash fundraising target for Evie’s Gift

THREE young swimmers who organised a sponsored swim in memory of their friend, Evie Clover, have raised a whopping £1,126.64, smashing their original target of £200.

Melksham Swordfish Amateur Swimming Club members, Erin Newton, aged 14, Grace Langlands, 14, and Lucy Matthews, 10, swam three miles between them last month at Melksham’s Blue Pool, cheered on by friends, family and Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies.

Erin’s mother, Sarah Newton said, “Erin and the girls are over the moon about the amount of money they have raised and they are completely amazed by all the support that people have shown them.”

The money raised will go to Evie’s Gift, the charity set up by Evie’s parents, Bryan and Patsy Clover, after the death of their 13-year old daughter in January after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. The charity offers support to families whose children have been admitted to hospital with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions.

Evie’s father, Bryan Clover, said, “Erin, Grace and Lucy should be hugely proud of their efforts. Erin had injured her ankle and swam, despite the difficulty it caused. We are delighted with the dedication that they showed to Evie’s memory and by raising so much money, it shows the support that is out there. The girls should feel immensely proud of themselves.”

The trio’s sponsored swim is just one of a number of events organised to raise awareness and money for the charity. Last month, 62 people took part in ‘Evie’s Jurassic 13’ – a 13-mile hike from Worth Matravers to Studland Point on the Jurassic Coast – raising over £8,500, which will be split between Evie’s Gift and Julia’s House Hospice.

For more information about Evie’s Gift, visit: www.eviesgift.org.uk