CARDIGAN swimming pool is set to benefit from a grant to help older and disabled swimmers.

The pool has been awarded £1,500 by the Ceredigion Community Chest to buy easy access steps. This will help the many older and disabled swimmers who find it difficult to enter and exit the water.

More than 300 people are set to benefit from the new steps.

The Ceredigion Community Chest sports fund has been giving grants to organisations who want to get more people active, more often for the past 20 years.

In the December meeting of the panel, the total value of grants given out to community clubs topped £1m as 11 applications – including that from Cardigan swimming pool – were approved.

Cllr Catrin Miles, cabinet member responsible for leisure services, said: “Community sports clubs in Ceredigion are run by dedicated people who give up their time for community benefit.

“Most clubs will not be able to have the financial backing needed to carry out many updates in equipment, coaching or resources. That’s where the Community Chest comes in.

“To have given grants surpassing £1m is something to be proud of. The Ceredigion Community Chest has played an important role in the vitality of sports in the county, and long may it continue.”

The grants have allowed hundreds of new coaches and referees to qualify and for essential equipment of all kinds to be bought by voluntary clubs.

Wendy Davies, the chairperson of the Ceredigion Community Chest, said: “I’m so proud of the work this panel and what the grants have done within our communities. Over the 20 years we have seen applications ranging from archery to zumba and everything in between.

“Our clubs have really benefited and have developed into strong social meeting places with physical activity been the common denominator. I would like to thank Ceredigion County Council and Sport Wales in making this partnership a success. We look forward to the next 20 years.”