Salford’s Synchronised Swimming Club were doing their bit for charity this week as they donned swimming caps, goggles and JEANS for a practice to help raise awareness for Jeans for Genes Day.
This Friday Jeans for Genes is celebrating its 20th year of fundraising for children with genetic disorders.
In a bid to show their support and raise awareness SSSC underwent intense rehearsals for their national competitions wearing the less than supple denim for the demanding session.
SSSC Head Coach Jessica Fletcher said: “It was great to be involved in raising awareness of Jeans for Genes day.
“The girls had great fun taking part, although swimming a routine in jeans was very difficult!
“We will be wearing our jeans on Friday in support of the fantastic research that takes place because of the fundraising from Jeans for Genes day.”
It is estimated that one in 25 children is affected by a genetic disorder and 30,000 babies and children are newly diagnosed in the UK each year.
Some genetic disorders are apparent at birth while others are diagnosed at different stages throughout childhood, and sometimes into adulthood.
Caroline Harding, Chief Executive of Jeans for Genes Day, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support for Jeans for Genes Day over the last 20 years.
“Just be wearing jeans and making a donation, people have already helped us to raise millions of pounds to provide vital care and support for children with genetic disorders.
“To mark our 20th anniversary, we’re asking people to go the extra mile in helping us to improve the lives and experience of children and families affected by genetic disorders.”
For two decades, Jeans for Genes supporters have not just donned their denim for Jeans for Genes Day, they have gone the extra mile to help the cause by raising money through doing something daft or brave – but always memorable.
This inspired the charity to reach out to its celebrity friends and supporters and encourage the nation to get involved by doing something extraordinary in jeans.
As anyone who can remember back to their childhood swimming lessons will attest, the dreaded ‘pyjama swim’ was always the most gruelling part of any pool session.
For most of us the perfectly synchronized routines exhibited by Salford Synchronised Swimming Club seem like impossible feats at the best of times, but the addition of jeans brings home the incredible effort that these athletes made on behalf of the Jeans for Genes campaign.
To donate please visit: http://www.jeansforgenesday.org/
