Charity Gala Success for Runnymede

Report on the Pat Carlane Trophy Gala 18^th February 2006

Runnymede Swimming Club held their annual Pat Carlane Trophy Gala at Runnymede Pool, Thundersley.  The gala is run to raise funds for Cancer Research and also provides a friendly and competitive atmosphere for young swimmers between 9 and 12 years old.  An outstanding total of £ 535.50 was raised on the evening from donations, entry money and the raffle all of which goes directly to the charity. Runnymede Swimming Club would like to thank everyone who supported this event and in particular Castle Point Leisure, who kindly donated the use of the pool without charge for this Gala.

Clubs from Braintree & Bocking, Southend-on-Sea, Basildon, Killerwhales and Havering Aquatics joined Runnymede, and there were good performances from of the club's young teams throughout the gala.  Runnymede eventually came out on top in a very tight contest to retain the trophy for the 4th year running, just ahead of Southend-on-Sea.

Runnymede’s young team produced some outstanding swims with a massive tally of 28 1^st places out of a possible 49 events. An impressive 18 individual wins for several of the team including Emily Muggleton, Zachery Beale, Laura Humphreys, George Smith, Rory Geoghegan, Thomas Giles, Alex Delicata, Ellie Pirrie, Henry Newton, Chloe Davis and Sam Cox. This was followed by 10 1^st places out of 17 relay team events, including boys 11 years (Matthew Monte, Daniel Nobes, Thomas Giles and Rory Geoghegan); Boys 9 years (Sam Cox, Matthew Davis, Zachery Beale and Murphy Talbot); Boys 10 years (Lewis Kerr, Rory Geoghegan, James Spicer and Sonny Canham; Girls 9 years (Emily Muggleton, Charlotte Broad, Molly Giles and Ellie Pirrie); Girls 12 years (Chloe Davis, Laura Humphreys, Jenny Lamb and Amy Barrell); Boys 12 years (Alex Delicata, Thomas Honeysett, George Smith and Jonathan Ellis).

Other Runnymede Team Members were Emma Hall, Alice Cain, Danielle Valsayer, Charlotte Hartin, Ellie Wood, Abbie Brown, Ellie-Jade Smith and Ellie Honeysett.

Runnymede’s Club Secretary, Heather Davis said “This years Gala was probably one of the most successful, it was well supported by several local teams and the evenings swimming was enjoyed by all who took part either as a swimmer or spectator. There was a great atmosphere throughout the Gala at Runnymede Swimming Pool and to raise over £ 500 for Cancer Research was a fantastic achievement. I would like to thank everyone who was involved with the organising and running of the Gala together with all those who took part in helping to make this event such a success.”

Runnymede S.C are currently looking to develop the depth of their excellent existing Coaching Team headed by Paul Eveleigh and assisted by ex-Southend based GB Team swimmer Nathalie Brown. If anyone is interested in joining this successful and expanding Club as an additional part-time assistant please contact Paul Eveleigh on 01268 759043 or Heather Davis on 01702 478380 for further details.