Different strokes helping Cranfield (From Echo)

Different strokes helping Cranfield

1:44pm Thursday 1st January 2009 in Search By Dick Marshall

PARALYMPIC hopeful swim star Jo-Jo Cranfield will be making a big splash at the new Tri’n’Swim Well endless pool at Rochford.

Cranfield and Drake visited the facility at Unit One, Roche Close, Rochford, earlier this week — and company bosses Gill Kelly and Dawn Rolph have also given the 15-year-old one of their Blue Seventy swim skins to trial.

“We’ve told Jo-Jo she can use the facilities free of charge whenever they’re available at times to suit herself and her coach Doug Drake,” said Rolph.

“We’re a new company and aren’t in a position to help financially at this stage, but if there’s anything we can do to boost her career we’ll be happy to oblige.”

Cranfield’s mum Tina added: “Jo-Jo was impressed with the facilities and she and Doug will definitely be taking up their kind offer.”

Meanwhile, there has already been interest in helping the family in their bid to raise the cash extra required for Cranfield to take up her scholasrhip at the country’s top sporting school, Millfield in Somerset.

Westcliff’s Cranfield is the first disabled swimmer to be offered a Millfield scholarship, but a large amount of cash will still be needed to back her.

She already receives financial help from Belfairs College, where she is a student, who give her £60 a month towards her expenses from the 100 Club run among the staff.

As part of her plea for sponsorship, Cranfield, who was born with one arm, also took part in an interview with BBC Radio Somerset.

The Tri’n’Swim Well endless pool is regarded as excellent training not only for competitive pool swimmers, but also those planning to compete in open water.

To that end the pool will be used as a training venue for the Great South Swim from Southend Pier on Sunday, July 19, in aid of Fairhavens Hospice.

A percentage of the cost of a session will be given to the hospice and Tri’n’swim Well will provide wet suits for hire or sale.

Hire is £15 per hour and features over and underwater cameras for stroke anaylsis, with a personal DVD to take home, at a cost of £25 per hour.

There are tailor-made packages for triathlon and swimming clubs to attend with their own coaches.

Those wishing to book pool time or swimming sessions can ring 01702 547654.