Splashing achievement (From Andover Advertiser)

Splashing achievement

9:10am Sunday 5th July 2009

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A PROFOUNDLY deaf Basingstoke youngster who has refused to let her hearing hold her back has won an award from swimming celebrity Duncan Goodhew.

Young Annalise Hayes has made a splash after winning the Southern Water Learn To Swim Achiever of the Year award.

The award is presented to children who have shown great bravery in overcoming difficulties or for exceptional performance.

Seven-year-old Annalise, from Middleton Gardens in Queen Mary Avenue, Oakridge, is one of only 50 children to receive the award, out of 40,000 taught annually on the Learn To Swim scheme.

Annalise’s instructor Jane Bennison, from the Kim Chapman Swimming School that meets at Queen Mary’s College in Basingstoke and the Hampshire Centre Court in Chineham, said: “Annalise gives her best in her lessons. She is a happy child who does not let her disability affect her in anything she does.”

Olympic gold medalist Duncan, who presented Annalise with her award at a ceremony at Testwood Lakes, Southampton, said: “I am delighted with the progress Annalise has made on the scheme – she has achieved so much.

“Swimming lessons help youngsters gain confidence, learn new skills, make friends and have fun in a safe, supervised environment.”

The Southern Water Learn To Swim scheme is taught at more than 70 pools across the region and more than 500,000 children have benefited taken part.

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