This is a true story about one of our SwimEasy kids who swam with us at Fettes School Pool when we used to operate from there
It was December, and six-year-old Charlie had just written his letter to Santa. At the top of his list, above toys and sweets, he wrote: ‘Dear Santa, I want my yellow SwimEasy hat for Christmas.’
Charlie had been swimming with SwimEasy, and the yellow cap—the sign of moving up to the next level—was clearly a goal for him. He was so close to earning it, but he hadn’t quite achieved it yet but was due to receive it after the Christmas when he returned. His parents explained to him that he needed to keep working and that his next chance to get the cap would be in January when swimming lessons started again.
But Charlie didn’t give up hope. “Santa knows,” he told his granny one evening. “He’ll bring me my yellow hat!”
Granny, however, was in despair. She didn’t want Charlie to run to his stocking on Christmas morning, full of excitement, only to feel disappointed. She confided her worry to Charlie’s parents, who weren’t sure what to do either—after all, the yellow cap was something Charlie had to earn, not just wish for.
That’s when Frances Smith the Progress Advisor at the time stepped in. When Charlie’s parents explained the situation, SwimEasy had an idea. They sent Charlie’s yellow cap in a secret envelope to his parents, along with a note:
“Charlie, this is a little Christmas surprise. We’ve seen how hard you’ve worked, and we believe in you!
On Christmas morning, Charlie ran straight to his stocking. His parents held their breath, hoping the plan would work. And then, there it was his yellow SwimEasy cap! His eyes lit up as he held it up high. “Santa knew! He knew!” he shouted, running to show his granny and the rest of his family.
That yellow cap became Charlie’s favourite gift. When he returned to SwimEasy in January, he proudly wore it as he had progressed to the Learner level Yellow Cap
For Charlie and his family, it was a little magic which can make dreams come true. And for SwimEasy, it was a story that truly captured the spirit of why we do do what we do.
Thank you to Frances Smith for reminding us of this story form days gone by.
