‘We need your help’: Northampton Swimming club shortlisted for chance to win £100k funding boost

Northampton Swimming Club has been shortlisted for the chance to win up to £100,000 worth of funding.

The club has been named as one of three regional finalists in the ‘Better Futures’ scheme run by housing developer, Persimmon Homes.

Three clubs from across the country will soon be chosen to receive the top funding prize of £100,000.

In order for the local club to be awarded the huge funding, members and coaches need support in the form of votes from anyone and everyone.

Director of swimming, Jacquie Marshall, said: “We’re delighted that we have been shortlisted and the funding will be key in lots of ways.

“We want to use some of the money to support the transition from the coronavirus pandemic.

“Some parents may have lost their jobs, so members may need help and as a club we have lost £89,000, so if we won the top prize it would help the sustainability of the club massively.

“We have produced some really good athletes, and we’re hoping some will be going to Tokyo next year, so we just want to make sure we have a club there to carry this on.”

To win the top prize of £100,000, the club will need the most votes in its category, so Jacquie is appealing to the public for help.

She added: “We would really love the people of Northampton to get behind us.

“We’re not a massive club and we’ll be up against big football and rugby clubs, so the public will be key.

“This is free. We’re not asking for you to pay, we’re just asking for 30 seconds of your time everyday and we’d really appreciate the help.”

As well as the £100,000 for one initiative from each category - sport, health and the arts - there will also be a £50,000 second prize and a £20,000 third prize in each sector, which the club could win.

The remaining 87 shortlisted projects will each receive £5,000.

Simon McDonald, regional managing director of Persimmon Homes Midlands, added: “Building Futures aims to create a lasting legacy for young people and the groups that support them.

“We have been overwhelmed by the response and it is clear there are a lot of very worthy causes supporting the younger generation and many local people working exceptionally hard to help them.

“We wish all three of our regional finalists the very best of luck and would urge people to show their support by voting for them.”

Voting is open until midnight on September 18 and to help out Northampton Swimming Club, votes can be cast on the Persimmon website every 24 hours.

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