Nine-year-old Fred Green from Leicester is diving into an incredible challenge this month as he takes on a two-mile swimathon in support of The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS).
The determined youngster will complete 128 lengths over three consecutive days, spending an hour in the pool each day. His challenge will see him swim 44 lengths on day one, followed by 42 lengths on both day two and day three.
Originally, Fred planned to swim just one mile. When he set himself the challenge, he had only ever swum six lengths in one go. But it wasn’t long before he raised the bar.
“He thought it was too easy once he started training, so he doubled it,” said his mum, Sue. “He always aims big.”
Fred first took to the water at just five years old and quickly developed a love for swimming, although he wasn’t a very strong swimmer at the time. After breaking his wrist last summer, he was unable to take part in the sport for several weeks and felt nervous about returning to the pool. Taking on the swimathon has not only helped him rebuild his confidence but has also pushed him to improve his swimming, all while raising funds for a cause that means a great deal to him and his family.
The Greens have long supported The Air Ambulance Service, regularly donating to their local charity shop and following their lifesaving work across the region.
Fred said: “When I see the helicopters in the sky, I know that person isn’t having a great day. I always hope that they’re okay.”
Along the way, the young swimmer has made new friends who, beside his family, will be cheering him on as he completes his challenge.
For Fred, swimming is about more than just fun.
“I like to go swimming because I have myself to myself,” he explained. “Being under the water relaxes me. It’s my own space and no one else is there.”
To support Fred’s fundraising challenge, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/fred-green
Funds raised from the swimathon will help The Air Ambulance Service continue to provide vital, rapid-response emergency care by air and road across Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Rutland through “Your Local Air Ambulance”. The charity also offers a dedicated helicopter transfer service for critically ill babies and children across the country as the “National Children’s Air Ambulance”. They receive no government funding and rely on the generosity of the public to operate.
