Sponsored swim raises raises £3,500 for Rob Burrow MND centre

It was organised by pupils on the school council and eco-council at Ghyll Royd School in Burley-in-Wharfedale.

The decision to raise funds for the new centre was made in honour of a teaching assistant’s family. Mrs Julie Tomkinson is taking care of husband John who was diagnosed with MND last year. John and Julie are much-loved members of the Ghyll Royd community, and the children and staff chose to support this cause for their fundraising challenge this year.

The sponsored swim (Image: submitted)

Children in Reception held their sponsored swim on Monday, February 19 during their weekly lessons. Years 1-6 completed their lengths during their lesson on Thursday, February 22 at Ilkley Pool.

The challenge was to collectively swim 22 kilometres, the equivalent of swimming from Ilkley Pool to the Rob Burrow MND Centre site at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds.

All together the children exceeded their target and swam 1,340 lengths, equal to 33.5 kilometres. The Tomkinson family were present to witness the sponsored swim. The total amount raised from the swim was £3,554.10, which has been donated to the Leeds Teaching Hospitals fundraising account.

The sponsored swim at Ilkley Pool (Image: submitted)

Mr David Martin, Headteacher of Ghyll Royd School, was moved by the children’s fundraising idea: “When we were given the news of John’s diagnosis, the whole school was affected. Julie and John are valued members of the Ghyll Royd family and when the children instigated the idea of a sponsored swim in their school council meeting, I felt so proud. All the children tried their best and swam as many lengths as they could, all the while with the biggest smiles on their faces. We have raised a fantastic amount which we hope will help not only John, but others affected by Motor Neurone Disease.”

Pupils cheered each other on (Image: submitted)

Jackie Johnson, a representative for Motor Neurone Disease Association, who was also present at Ilkley Pool for the event said: "It was good to see the children rising to the swimming challenge with such enthusiasm and determination to support school friends John and Julie and the wider MND community who will also benefit from the funds they have raised.

“Motor Neurone Disease (MND) affects the nerves known as motor neurones. These nerves are found in the brain and spinal cord and help tell your muscles what to do. Messages from the motor neurones gradually stop reaching the muscles which results in the muscles becoming weak, stiff and wasting. Everyone is different, but walking talking, eating, drinking and breathing can all be affected."

The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease will cost £6.8 million to build and will help people with the disease access the best support. Over £5 million has already been raised through donations and raising awareness of the condition by Rob Burrow and his former Leeds Rhinos teammate Kevin Sinfield.