Archie is 9 and has Down Syndrome. This means that he has a significant learning disability both mentally and physically. He has to work extra hard at everything he does and has to be very patient to achieve many things but gets there with his determination and our encouragement.

Since he was a toddler he developed a fear of water. He had huge melt downs at the sight of a pool or any open water and refused to go near despite having swimming lessons very early on as a baby. Less than a year ago Archie started taking 1-1 lesson with Laura’s Swim Academy as well as starting lessons with school. Less than a year on and he has found a new love for swimming despite initially being terrified, and because of how hard he has to work cognitively and physically to learn. He now swims independently and asks to go swimming everyday and it’s a joy to watch him do something he loves so much.

For World Down Syndrome Day 2023 Archie will be completing a sponsored swim by completing 2100 meters over the month of March. (21 which relates to the extra 21st chromosome which creates Down Syndrome) The money he raises will be helping to fund Archie’s Smile Support Group in Coventry which was initially created in 2015 and was inspired by the man himself!

We will be completing a log on the distance he is swimming and well as updates with photos and videos.

Funding raised for the group helps pay for the fantastic facilities, specified speech and language therapy, developmental play and support for all the families who attend.

Please help support Archie in his very first fundraising venture!