Double Olympic gold medallist Becky Adlington made a special visit to Marsh Green Primary School in Dagenham this week to celebrate a local pupil’s success in a national competition.
The retired Team GB star, who twice struck gold at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, was the judge of Everyone Active’s national ‘design a swimming hat’ competition, which invited schoolchildren across the UK to “draw what you love most about getting into the pool.”
The winning design, created by nine-year-old Aroma Younas from Marsh Green Primary School, stood out among hundreds of entries submitted nationwide.
Becky surprised pupils during a school assembly on Thursday 23 October, where she revealed Aroma’s winning design printed onto 200 swimming hats.
Pupils were tasked with using only three colours in their designs. Aroma’s creation featured the words ‘Let’s Keep Swimming’ alongside blue, purple and pink stars and circles. She blended the colours together around the edges and uses blue swirls to symbolise water.
Aroma said: “I think that swimming is really important no matter how old you are. Swimming is really fun, but it isn’t just a sport - it’s also important in case of an emergency.
“For my design, I chose my favourite colours and different patterns. I loved the way it looked. I feel very proud, and winning the competition has encouraged me to keep doing the hobby I love - art! I am so excited to have met someone who has won medals for our country and can’t believe that she came to our school!”
Speaking to pupils at the school, Becky said: “I absolutely loved Aroma’s design - I loved the colours and I loved the words.”
Becky then emphasised the importance of learning to swim, telling pupils: “Swimming is an incredibly important life skill. It’s super important that you all know how to save your own life, that you’re a strong swimmer, and that if you ever saw someone else in danger, you might be able to help save their life too.”
Everyone Active partners with double Olympic gold medallist Becky Adlington to deliver its School Swimming Programme, ensuring all children learn essential water safety and life-saving skills.
To mark the achievement, pupils from Marsh Green Primary School later visited Abbey Leisure Centre, managed by Everyone Active in partnership with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, for a celebratory swimming session.
Hasan Romel, area contract manager at Everyone Active, said: “It was fantastic to welcome Becky Adlington to Barking and Dagenham and see how inspired the pupils at Marsh Green Primary School were. Becky is a true role model for young swimmers, and having her involved in this competition really highlights the importance of learning to swim and having fun in the water.”