Free swimming sessions are being offered to young people across Leicester as the half-term week wraps up.
The free swims are available from Monday until Sunday October 26 at certain leisure centres to anybody under the age of 16 and are aimed to help get young people more active.
Lorna Berry, receptionist at Braunstone Leisure Centre, said: “We want to encourage more people under the age of 16, male and female to come and swim and hopefully get more memberships.”
In order to be eligible for the swimming sessions, users must apply for ‘The Card’ which can be done via the Leicester City Council website and can be picked up after seven days at any City Council Leisure Centre. Alternatively, this can be done at the sports centre as long as a form of identification with a home address is provided.
Children under the age of nine who are swimming for free must be accompanied by a person over the age of 16 but this individual would have to pay the price to join in on the swim.
Sarah, employee of Spence Street Sports Centre, said: “It’s all about encouraging children to get in to the water that usually don’t get the chance to go and swim.
“We want to get those who wouldn’t always want to get in the water and come along to swim and exercise as it’s free.”
The free sessions are available at Braunstone Leisure Centre, Cossington Street Sports Centre, New Parks Leisure Centre and Spence Street Sports Centre.
The free swims do not include lessons, use aqua fit and equipment and swimmers are advised to wear the appropriate swimwear.
For more information about free swimming call 0116 454 1000 or email sports.services@leicester.gov.uk.
Photo credit: BBC. Braunstone Leisure Centre swimming pool.
Sam Morris
