Save Witney and District Swimming Club

Aim

We are crowdfunding to support our club through the difficult financial challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why are we asking for help?

2020 has hit our club hard.  As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, pool costs have increased by 43% whilst our pool time has also reduced and fundraising has been impossible, meaning significantly reduced income. Unless we are able to secure a significant amount of additional funds, the club will be forced to close after July 2021.

Who are W&DSC?

Witney and District Swimming Club (W&DSC) is a thriving 45 year-old club with over 300 members, ranging from 8 year-old youngsters, through to Masters swimmers of over 70. We are run by an army of parents and volunteers, and work on a not-for-profit basis. We have a team of dedicated coaches who give up many hours of their own time to expertly coach and support our swimmers.

In our membership we have swimmers with disabilities, and also those who train and compete at international 'transplant' events. The club is such an important place for our swimmers for their physical and mental health, and gives them such confidence in a sport they love and succeed in.

Although we are a competitive club we remain friendly and family-oriented, with children and even grandchildren of founder members now swimming with the club. Because of this dedication and hard work, our small, grassroots club has had amazing success over the years, with swimmers who regularly compete at a regional and national level, and swimmers who have been accepted onto elite training pathways towards Olympic trials. In 2018 the club was honoured to be awarded West Oxfordshire Club of the Year.

How are we addressing the problem?

For 45 years W&DSC has been able to support itself financially through swimmer fees, fundraising events and hosting swimming galas. Unfortunately events and galas have been impossible through the pandemic, so the only income has been through fees.  We have negotiated an increase in swimmer fees, but we want our club to remain inclusive and accessible, so further increases are not possible, especially as many families have had reduced income during the pandemic.  We are actively trying to reduce our costs and secure additional income, but we are rapidly using up our reserves of funds that had been built up through good financial management - leading to the very real risk of closure.

Why is the continuation of the club important?

Not only does W&DSC help our swimmers with their physical health, but it also has a substantial positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing, especially during uncertain times in school and life in general. But it doesn’t stop there. W&DSC plays such a big role for all the members in our community.  

How can you help?

Your participation in our crowdfunding event would make a huge difference to the club!  Meeting the £10,000 target would provide security for the club longer term.  You can:

• donate (button top right)
• pledge and choose to receive one of our amazing rewards which have been kindly gifted by local businesses and members of our W&DSC community (look to the right and scroll to see the long list of rewards!)
• pledge £5 to enter a prize draw with a chance of winning many incredible prizes including a pair of AirPods Pro (worth £249!!!)

Now for the boring stuff!!!

Prize Draw Terms and Conditions

• Prize draw prizes must be collected from Witney, UK (OX28)
• The winners will be drawn at the end of the crowdfunder 
• Alcoholic prizes can only be issued to a person aged 18 or older (proof of ID may be required)
• To enter the draw without pledging, please send a postcard with your name, address, email address and contact telephone number to: W&DSC Draw, c/o Windrush Leisure Centre, Witan Way, Witney, OX28 4YA UK. Entries must be sent on a postcard or on or within an envelope.

This project successfully funded on 1st February 2021