Below are two extracts taken from the website to give you an idea of Our Story. (www.likkleswimmers.com)
'In May 2014, tragedy struck when the boys lost their father in a drowning accident whilst on holiday in the Jamaican fishing village of Treasure Beach, where the family had spent many previous holidays. Early one morning, the elder boy – then only four, and not yet able to swim – was paddling in the shallows when a riptide pulled him out to sea. His father raced into the sea and saved his life – but then drowned before his eyes. The tragedy devastated the community of Treasure Beach, who lost a dear friend, and left two young boys fatherless.'
'Two months later she returned to Treasure Beach, this time to work as a volunteer in two local nurseries and a Saturday school. Stacey joined her for part of her stay, and volunteered alongside, getting to know the local families and falling in love with the community just as Charlotte had. The nurseries and school have to struggle with very little money, and Charlotte and Stacey’s contribution to the children’s lives and education was invaluable. It was very hard to say goodbye when the three months were up, the pair resolved to return again, and do more for these children and their families.
While Charlotte had been living in Treasure Beach, its annual triathlon had taken place.. Surprised by how few local children were competing, she was dismayed to discover that this was because barely any could swim. With no access to a safe pool or swimming lessons, they are growing up beside the sea but unable to swim. One tragic consequence of this has been the number of lives the village has lost to the ocean in drowning accidents.
Both Charlotte and Stacey are keen swimmers. Realising this was a life-saving skill they could offer the community, they decided to set up a charity to provide access to a local pool equipped with flotation aids and life guards, and return to Treasure Beach in 2017 to teach children to swim.