Polar Academy and Bathgate Amateur Swimming Club are doing
an all day Swimathon to raise funds.  I’m going to be taking part and want to raise money for the Polar Academy charity – here’s why:

The Polar Academy offers the opportunity for 10 secondary school
children each year, aged between 14-17, who are “under the radar” and/or lack self-esteem and gives them the chance to redefine their physical and mental limits.  Participants are put through a rigorous ten-month training programme before being immersed in the wilds of Greenland, navigating through some of the world’s remotest terrain for ten days. 

On their return to Scotland, each pupil shares their experiences
with their peer groups, speaking to more than 20,000 school children in their region.  They are living, breathing proof that dreams are attainable and that ordinary pupils can achieve the truly extraordinary.

My daughter Orla is taking part in the 2019 Bathgate Academy
expedition and it has been a fantastic growth and learning experience for her even before the expedition has taken place.  She’s grown in confidence from an amazing but shy girl who wouldn’t be able to talk to anyone she didn’t know well to being able to take part in presentations and other events on behalf of the charity, thanks to the learning and development opportunity this charity has been able to offer.

The charity does need to raise funds every year though to keep up their good work and that is where Swimathon comes in.  Between Orla, her brother Ruari and me (probably more them than me..) we are hoping to swim over 10 kilometers at the event on 3rd February 2018.  On the day we will be joined by other members of the Polar Academy team and friends from Bathgate Amateur Swimming Club who are going to swim for the entire day.  I hope we can do Polar Academy and all those involved from Bathgate ASC proud.