Can you help Local Swimming Sensation Lucy Doherty to realise her Olympic dream?

With the odds stacked against her as a young child, Lucy has triumphed over adversity to become an Olympic hopeful.

Helsby High School pupil, Lucy Doherty was born with several medical conditions and swimming was an important part of her therapy. At the age of seven, Lucy’s coaches at her swimming club in Runcorn spotted that Lucy had a talent. Lucy swam at county level at the age of 11 and by the time she was 12 she had qualified for National level. Lucy excels at back stroke and has spent two years attending England Talent camps.

Last August a club in Liverpool wanted to help to nurture her talent and so Lucy’s parents decided to send her there in addition to Runcorn for training. Lucy swims in Liverpool every night after school for two hours. It is a huge commitment for a family that has other children to consider and it is very expensive. Lucy’s family are a normal, hardworking family who are trying to keep Lucy training, and entering competitions with all the travelling expenses, hotel bills etc that this involves. Her training swimsuits deteriorate in the chlorine filled pools so she needs new swim wear constantly. Competition swimsuits can be £300 each!!

Lucy has had help from the Round Table, and the Rotary Club as well as Helsby Lions, and a local GP who have given her money to purchase costumes for which she is very grateful.

Lucy qualified for an Olympic trial in March this year but after swimming in the Olympic pool and all the thrills which go along with it, she unfortunately didn’t quite make it and so she is now looking towards the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014, and Rio 2016.

Lucy was sponsored by Coca Cola to run with the Olympic flame on it’s way into Chester which was a great honour, she had a fantastic day and Lucy’s family were so proud of her. Lucy has shown her flame far and wide since, visiting local schools and is a positive role model for many.

Last year Lucy met her hero Liam Tancock at the Nationals at Ponds Forge, Sheffield and she was also lucky to meet Lizzy Simmonds and Rebecca Adlington.

Lucy and her mum, Helen collect old clothes, bedding, towels etc and sell them by weight to help fund her passion. They are happy to take drop offs at their house in Elton but are more than happy to collect from local people.

If you would like to support a local girl and help Lucy to continue with her dream please contact Helen on 01928 726992 to arrange collection of old clothes, bedding etc.
We wish you the best of luck Lucy, well done so far!