New Directions Fundraise for the Welsh RLSS Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships 2013

New Directions Cardiff Primary Branch Manager, Kelly Storer is proud to be rallying the New Directions community in fundraising for the Welsh RLSS Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships 2013 who are bound for Australia in August / September this year.

The Welsh Team Manager, Graham Murphy, also Head Teacher of Monmouthshire Primary school Archbishop Rowan Williams has spoken about his pride of the Welsh team describing Wales as having some of the finest swimmers in the Commonwealth. Sadly though, Wales doesn’t have the same structure that the other home nations have and as a consequence have not been able to send the team to previous championships.

Mr Murphy has travelled the length and breadth of the UK identifying talent and has put together two teams each of five male and female competitors. The elite squad consists of athletes who have already completed all over the world. The cost of getting each athlete to the championships is £2,000 and Mr Murphy is fundraising tirelessly to fund this. He has asked for the support of the local community to help him and here at New Directions we will be undertaking a range of activities including, a cake sale, a quiz, selling homemade ice cream, cleaning cars and staff competitions to show our support.

Mr Murphy has expressed his appreciation at our support and told us “I am delighted that my friends at New Directions have decided to sponsor the Welsh Lifeguard / Lifesaving team who are competing at the Commonwealth championships in Australia. The athletes that have been selected are some of our country’s finest swimmers. It is very apt that New Directions are supporting the team as the RLSS who host the championships, are the Commonwealths largest provider of water-safety education and training. Of the 40 nations who could take part, Wales will have competitors who will be amongst the youngest as they are currently either ready to undertake A-levels or are in the process of going to University.

As a consequence, they do not have the financial means to support the cost of training, preparation and the competition itself. All of the competitors provide a community service as volunteer lifeguards around our shores and inland waters. I am very pleased that the association we have with New Directions will be carried with us to Australia and that we will be proud to wear the Wales/New Direction logo”.

For further information please visit: http://www.rlss.org.uk/index.php/lifesaving-sport/performance-sport/commonwealth-2013

To make a donation please visit: http://www.justgiving.com/teams/WelshLifesavingSquad