A north Dorset swimming school has received £900 to help children with additional needs learn to swim.

Gillingham homebuilders Redrow Southern Counties has made the donation to help local charity SWISH Swim School which has been helping teach children in north Dorset, Shaftesbury and the surrounding areas how to swim for over 15 years.

Following the pandemic, the school, which has over 650 regular swimmers, has encountered an increased number of children struggling to learn in a group swimming environment.

This is especially pronounced in older children where they have also seen a need for specific swimming aids designed for older age groups.

Redrow’s donation will support over 60 children from age 4 through to 17 by helping the charity to purchase additional swimming aids and provide more one to one lessons, including by upskilling their current teachers.

The donation was part of Redrow Southern Counties Community Fund which launched this year.  

The fund provides organisations, schools and groups at the heart of the community with donations to help them thrive.

The award winning housebuilder has also provided investment in the areas surrounding their developments including contributions toward education, healthcare, public transport and affordable housing.