Sport student’s championship fundraising drive

Sport student Lewis Graham hopes to raise £2,000 to fund his dream of competing at an international lifesaving competition in Canada.

Lewis has been invited to represent Scotland at the RLSS Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships in September following his success at local and national level where he has won several medals.

The 16-year-old found his passion for lifesaving almost 10 years ago and Lewis has set his sights on the international stage but, with the championships being self-funded, he must raise the cost of flights, accommodation, kit, entry fees and meals himself.

While also studying at Northumberland College, Lewis volunteers as a swimming teacher and a lifeguard for Advance Northumberland and Blyth Lifeguard and Swimming Club.

He said: “I am so proud to have been selected to represent Scotland at this year’s Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships in Canada.

“To take part in the competition is around £2,000 with it all having to be funded by myself and my family, so any donations would be greatly appreciated.”

The RLSS Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships are held every two years, aiming to encourage participation in lifesaving sport and further development of lifesaving practices, as well as bringing the lifesaving family together.

The sport was introduced to encourage lifesavers to develop, maintain and improve the essential physical and mental skills needed to save lives in the aquatic environment, and consists of a series of competition disciplines intended ‘to further develop and demonstrate lifesaving skills, fitness, and motivation.

Lewis will be competing in the ‘200m Super Lifesaver’ and ‘100m Manakin Tow with Fins’ individual events, as well as relay events.

If you would like to support Lewis, you can donate on his GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/f/2023-lifesaving-commonwealth-championship