Fundraising boxing day swim for Aaron's dream

Dec 29 2010 By Lawrence Poole, Buckinghamshire Examiner

sian culley

AFTER football matches and festive concerts, the campaign to raise funds for liver cancer victim Aaron West's dream goalkeeping academy moved to Wales this Christmas.

Sian Culley, 21, from Amersham, joined her Welsh cousins in braving the chilly waters off the coast of Tenby on Boxing Day for a charity swim.

The fundraiser was in tribute to former Amersham School pupil Aaron, 16, who died on October 29 this year. The keen footballer vowed to launch a goalkeeping academy for local children before his death and the cash will go towards the fund to launch the academy.

Sian, a PhD student at University College London, said: "I've been doing the swim for about eight years after we took over from older members of the family when it got too cold for them.

"This year we decided to raise money for Aaron because my mum works at the school and I helped out over the summer there too and got to hear about him.

"It's a cause which is close to every body's hearts and it should be a great way to raise some money to help."

On the swim itself, Sian added: "It's freezing cold, but good fun and a great way to wake you up after Christmas!"

Sian's mum, Glynis Culley, who works in pastoral support at the school, said: "My daughter and my nieces, Jenna and Polly, thought it would be a nice idea if they raised money for Aaron this year.

"He was such a great example to other pupils at the school. If everybody approached life like him the world would be a better place.

"He had so much energy and verve and didn't moan or grumble even in his darkest days - the academy will be a great legacy."

So far £11,000 has been raised for the academy and Aaron's parents Dax and Robert are now putting together a business plan to set up a charity to get the scheme off the ground.

Anybody who would like to send in a donation to the academy fund can post cheques made payable to Mr and Mrs West to WWFC Community Scheme, Adams Park, Hillbottom Road, Bucks, HP12 4HJ. You can also pay money directly into Mr and Mrs West's account by going to the Lloyds TSB branch in Amersham and asking for Sam Willet or Tracy Peed.