A GROUP of teenagers from Wiveliscombe have gone to extraordinary fundraising efforts to save their local outdoor pool.

On September 5, five local children from Wiveliscombe swam The English Channel to help secure the future of their beloved outdoor pool. 

Asta Myram and Susannah Rook aged just 14, with Gabriel McCarthy and Archie Bollom aged 15 years and Jack Bollom aged 17 years old completed the swim in 12 hours and 41 minutes.

The children battled jellyfish, a lumpy swell and strong tides starting in the dark early hours from Samphire Hoe near Dover and eventually landing near Cap Griz Nez in France. 

The group took on this challenge to help secure Wivey Pool for future generations of children who wish to swim there.

Struggling through the cost of living crisis Wivey Pool trustees took the decision to change from gas to sustainable renewable heating after utility prices tripled in three years making their operating costs untenable. 

The £5700 the children have raised will go towards the cost of a newly installed air source heat pump powered by solar panels making the pool more sustainable and one of the most environmentally friendly swimming pools in the southwest.

Their success was particularly impressive as their initial attempt in late August had to be stopped three miles from France due when a freak accident to the eldest swimmer, Jack, saw him sustain a cut his shin while exiting the water requiring hospital treatment and a dozen stitches.

The children had trained for 18 months under the tutelage of their Coach Hanish McCarthy as part of The WiveyPool WiLDSquad in the pool and in the seas around Lyme Bay. 

Chairwoman of Wivey Pool, Liz Hurry, said: "I am beyond proud of what these youngsters have achieved particularly after the setback in August.

"Everyone at the pool is immensely proud of them. Wivey born and bred swimmers who learned to swim at our community pool doing so much to help the pool is humbling."

'Wivey Pool' is an open air heated swimming pool which is open May to September each year.

The Pool has been there for nearly 100 years and hopes to be here for 100 more and through a JustGiving fundraiser has now raised over £40,000 towards ongoing costs and improvements.