Going for gold

From the Guardian Series, first published Tuesday 15th Jan 2002.

A CREWE teenager is hoping to make a big splash for his country over the weekend.

Stuart Bloor is looking to bag Gold for England at a world swimming event for disabled children in Holland.

Dedication's what you need and Stuart has it in abundance, training five days a week which has certainly earned its rewards, netting him 18 medals at annual North West Regional swimming galas within four years.

The 14-year old, who has Spina Bifida, is a member of both Crewe's Seahorse swimming club, a club for disabled swimmers and the Crewe Flyers Club.

Over the next three days, Stuart will be competing against a host of skilled disabled swimmers in four different events at the Double Dutch Open - 100m backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle and the 50m freestyle.

Local fund-raiser Gordon Woodall, who works voluntarily to support the mayor's fund-raising campaign, is backing him all the way, providing the Coppenhall High student with a special tracksuit for the event.

The mayor and deputy mayor, Cllrs Terry Beard and Mick Roberts, who are the respective president and chairman of Crewe's Seahorse club, have sent good luck messages.

"Stuart's swimming talents were soon apparent when he started swimming for his school," said the mayor.
"Stuart is just one of the reasons to have pride in our borough. Through sheer commitment and enthusiasm, he's made sure his disability hasn't got in the way of his ambitions and he's achieved so much already.

"Stuart will be an excellent ambassador for this borough and we wish him every success in Holland."