Help Seth Train with National Squad in Crete

Hi, my name is Seth, I’m 13 years old, and I’m a regional team swimmer at Leatherhead Swim Club. Swimming is where I feel most in the zone – it’s my passion and the place where I can channel all my energy in a positive way. I’ve been swimming since I was little, and I’ve worked really hard to be successful in the sport. I now have over 300 medals – and when I wear them all at once, I weigh nearly 100kg myself! They represent years of dedication, early mornings, and never giving up.

Over the past three years, I’ve been lucky to achieve success across many events, including setting multiple club records along the way. My main events are the 50m, 100m and 200m Butterfly, and I specialise in the 200m Individual Medley (200IM), which really challenges every part of my swimming and pushes me to grow.

In 2023, I won the Surrey Age Group Championships for my age, and this Easter, I placed 8th in the 100m Butterfly at the Scottish Nationals. I’ve also been selected for the Surrey Development Squad, which is made up of just 12 swimmers across the county who receive specialist coaching to support their progress. I’m also part of the Swim England talent pathway and train multiple times a week to be the best athlete I can be.

Things have been rocky and tough over the last few years. My parents split up, I’ve had to move schools twice, and I’ve worked really hard to build new friendship groups and adjust. Through it all, swimming has been my foundation – it’s kept me grounded and focused. The support I’ve had from my swim club has been incredible. They’ve helped cover some of my training fees and made it possible for me to keep swimming when things were hard at home. I’m really proud to represent my club, and swimming means everything to me.

I now have the opportunity to attend a training camp in Crete with my swim team. During the camp, I’ll be training alongside the National and National Development Squads, working on my technique, fitness, and race skills in preparation for the winter racing season. It’s a huge opportunity and will really help take my swimming to the next level, both physically and mentally.

I’m also so grateful for the charity support I’ve had over the last two years that’s helped keep me in the sport. The Big Dream Trust kindly sponsored my race entry fees last season, and Better Gym has now given me athlete support with a free gym membership so I can work on my strength and conditioning. I also want to thank my mum’s close friends, and my support worker, who’ve been there for both me and my mum when we’ve needed it most. Without this kind of help, I wouldn't be where I am today.

That’s why I’m asking for your help. I want to do my part to make this trip happen – to show I’m serious, mature, and willing to take responsibility for my dreams. Any contribution, no matter how small, will help me get one step closer to Crete and one step closer to my dream.

Thank you for reading and for supporting me on this journey.

Seth :)