Published on 1st August 2025

Sunbeam Swimming Club hosted its first gala at Pavilions in the Park, Horsham, on Saturday 5 July.

 The club, founded in 1982, welcomes people aged eight upwards with a wide range of additional needs and disabilities. The club hosts weekly sessions at the Pavilions that encourage fun and inclusive swimming. This ethos was echoed at its first gala, even if the element of competition naturally added a little extra excitement. 

Sabrina Gant, who has volunteered at Sunbeam since daughter Amy joined in 2002, helped organise the gala. Sabrina said: ‘A Sunbeam gala is something we’ve talked about for many years, but bringing the idea to fruition required a lot of planning, as we need the support of lots of volunteers and officials. That’s why it’s something we’ve not been able to do before, but thanks to support from Horsham Lions, Horsham Rotary Club, Places Leisure and a small grant from Horsham District Council, we made it happen.  

‘Some of our members have previously attended para swimming galas hosted by other clubs, including Mid Sussex Marlins (which hosts two sessions a week for swimmers with disabilities) and Leatherhead Swans (the largest multi-activity sports club for the disabled in the south of England). However, these tend to be more traditional galas focusing on competition. We wanted ours to be a fun and inclusive gala that everyone could be part of.  

‘So, as well as 25m and 50m races in conventional swimming strokes, we held a duck and float race, a noodle ‘seahorse’ race, and a relay for parents and carers, with all participants receiving a medal. The first time that my daughter Amy completed one length of the pool, she was cheered on wildly by other club members, and I’ve never forgotten that wonderful moment. Since that day, she has loved being in the pool, so it’s great to give other swimmers that same feeling of pride and achievement at a gala.’

NATIONAL SUCCESS

The gala celebrated swimmers of all abilities and personal efforts were celebrated with equal enthusiasm, regardless of where they finished.  

Henry Johnston, 22, is one of the more experienced (and rapid) swimmers at the club. Having started swimming regularly at the age of 15, Henry is now one of several Sunbeam regulars to have competed in the Down Syndrome Swimming Great Britain Championships. As well as taking part in races, Henry cheered others from the poolside and during the awards ceremony afterwards gave an inspiring speech, praising the efforts of all the competitors.  

Caroline Johnston, Henry’s mum and club Chair, said: ‘When he first joined Sunbeam, Henry wasn’t a confident swimmer. Now, he is competing in national championships against people from other clubs and swimming is a huge part of his life. Henry is focused on swimming every Saturday, as it’s what he wants to do. As well as the physical benefits, he enjoys the social side too, meeting friends and giving support to new or younger members. Club meets are a good chance for us parents to talk and share information as well.’ 

HAPPY PLACE

The focus on fun proved popular with many swimmers, including 12-year-old Methma Jayanetti, who joined Sunbeam nearly two years ago and has steadily improved his technique ever since. Methma (below) said: ‘I am quite introverted, so I have not made many new friends, but I do have one friend who swims at Sunbeam as well and everybody is very welcoming and friendly. The gala was fun and I took part in the seahorse race, motorbike race (noodle tied into a handlebar shape) and a paddle race too.’  

Another enjoying their debut gala was Sky Cullinane, Sunbeam’s newest member. Sky, who attends Heron Way School, has a rare condition called PANS (Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome). Sky received one of the loudest cheers of the day when she completed a length of the pool, with her dad also in the water giving her encouragement and assistance. 

Sky’s mum Steph said: ‘Although she is reluctant to swim full lengths, Sky has always loved being in the pool and likes bopping her head under the water. She wasn’t sure about taking part in the gala, as she had only completed short distances during her first couple of weeks at Sunbeam. However, the prospect of winning a medal was a great motivator! 

 ‘As Sky suffers with fatigue, she needs to stop every few minutes, but she has made great progress already. The club has been lovely too and it’s great to see everyone offering support and exchanging high-fives at the end of each race. Not every day is a good one for Sky, but at the gala, she was smiling and in a happy place.’ 

The club is in a good place too. Sunbeam was formed 43 years ago and as well as meeting weekly at the Pavilions, the club supports other charity events including Horsham Lions’ annual Swimathon. One of the club’s most dedicated swimmers, Robin Ayres, was one of four founding members. He recalls: ‘I joined forces with others to set up Sunbeam because there was a real need for inclusive activities in Horsham. Swimming is one of the best ways to keep active and is also a sociable way to get out and meet other accepting people. I remember that when we first mooted the idea, we held a meeting and one person questioned if there was a need for a disabled swimming club in Horsham. 

Another founder member, Norman, stood up and said, “My wife and daughter are disabled, so there absolutely is a need!” That rather shut up the detractors! Four decades on, it is great to see the club going well and launching its own gala. We used to meet on a Friday night and that didn’t suit everyone, as people had other things to do or were too tired after a busy week of work. Now, Sunbeam meets on Saturday afternoons, which is more convenient for many families and also contributes to a more relaxed atmosphere. 

‘I still help out when I can and swim too, but it’s wonderful that new people like Caroline, Sabrina and Gráinne (Treasurer) have come into the club and taken it to another level. Under their guidance and leadership, the club has gone from strength to strength and the membership has grown too. However, there are still others in our local community who would benefit from joining the club, so I hope that Sunbeam will continue to grow in the years to come.’ 

WORDS: Ben Morris / PHOTOS: Alan Wright

Further information: Sunbeam Swimming Club meets at the Pavilions in the Park on Saturdays at 12.30 – 2pm. Membership costs £10 a year with a free taster session. For information, visit www.sunbeamswimming.co.uk