Let's all dip in to get kids in swim

There aren't too many things you can buy these days for $3. It's less than a cup of coffee in most places, yet there is one place it could provide hours of fun while helping children brush up on potentially life-saving skills.

The $3 is the cost of entry for a child at the Wanganui East pools. It may not seem much, but to many it is unaffordable - especially, on a regular basis through summer.

So the trust that runs the facility has set an ambitious goal: to raise enough to allow all primary and intermediate-aged children to swim at the centre free. It's both admirable and ambitious - they need $12,000 to make it happen.

It is no secret New Zealand has a terrible record in water safety. Last year's toll of 123 drownings was the highest since 2003 and represented a 41 per cent increase on 2010. Maybe our love of water, water sports and other aquatic recreation means we have a higher exposure to the risk and helps explain this tragic tally.

But this makes it all the more apparent we need to ensure familiarity with water doesn't breed contempt. Access to facilities such as the Wanganui East pool can help with this, as well as provide somewhere safe and to burn off excess energy.

The shame of it, as trust member Toddy Sollitt told this newspaper, is that there are days when youngsters mill about outside desperate to come in but don't have the money. The trust wants to remove that impediment but has struggled to bring in enough money. They may have erred in suggesting a minimum of $50 for internet transactions, an amount that would exclude many from donating to this worthy cause. Perhaps they should consider reducing it. They might find more willing donors and the total achieved in short measure.

Alternatively, we might consider pooling resources (excuse the pun), to contribute the suggested $50 lots. It is an honorable cause and deserves to succeed.

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