Our Learn to Swim scheme entered its 17th year, teaching thousands of children aged four to 12 to swim at more than 70 pools and clubs across our region.

The scheme, which was launched in 1992, is the jewel in our community crown, winning four awards during the past two years and coming runner-up in three others. It continues to enjoy phenomenal success, drawing praise from parents, swimming instructors, Ministers and MPs.

MP Kate Hoey, London’s Commissioner for Sport and former Sports Minister, was the keynote speaker at our first Learn to Swim conference, attended by about 200 delegates and guests.

She said: “The Southern Water Learn to Swim scheme should be held up as an example for all other water companies in the UK to follow. Those companies will probably tell me that they are doing good things, but they are certainly not doing anything like what Southern Water is doing.”

We also staged our annual achievers’ events to recognise children who have learnt to swim against the odds. The first was held at our regional headquarters at Otterbourne in Hampshire, attended by 30 achievers, their families and many of their instructors.  Medals, certificates and prizes were presented to the children by Duncan Goodhew, Olympic gold medallist and long-standing ambassador of the scheme. Another 25 achievers and their families attended a second event at Bewl Water reservoir on the Kent/Sussex border.