Anne Bickmore set up a swim school along the coastal strip between Brighton and Eastbourne, as a result of parent demand. It started in a small way and with a small pool back in 1989. The pupils needed to obtain their ASA distance badges, so just how could the problem be solved?

The pool hire was waived as it was decided that the children could raise money at the same time by being sponsored. £800 was sent off to Comic Relief in1991.

So as not to constantly ask parents for money, but to afford swimmers the opportunity of achieving their distance certificates, it was decided to run this event every two years.

Two years later and this time £1,000 was raised by children for the local children's hospital appeal- The Rockinghorse Appeal.

Unfortunately, the school pool was closed down and it was time to move on. The swims were getting bigger and there was a need for a larger pool. The local leisure centre was down the road but who would pay the pool hire. Luckily, a local estate agent came up trumps and paid the pool hire, but who should benefit from the funds? Putting it to the parents, one came forward for a local special needs holiday playscheme. The money was shared equally between SNAPPS and Cherish, here in Seaford and Brighton.

In 1998, all the funds raised were given to the Early Birth Association and divided between Brighton and Eastbourne Special Care Baby Unit.

It was time to do it all over again in 2001. Supported by The Round Table, Brooklyn Motors, Clark Hutchinson, Southern Water and Lewes District Council, £5,500 was raised and distributed to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust in honour of a 5 year old pupil and Leo House Children's Hospice Appeal based in Brighton.

The system used for collecting and distributing the funds had to change, so it was suggested that abc fund (The Anne Bickmore Children's Fund) be set up.
With four trustees, Anne Bickmore, Joe Fackler, Lisa Phillips and Steve Moon we were able to deposit our next £1,500 raised from a raffle to start the Fund in July 2002.

In April 2003, sponsored by Kelloggs, Brooklyn Motors, Swindells Gentry & Hutchinson, Lewes District Council and Southern Water, 172 swimmers swam from 6pm - 8pm one Saturday night. The money raised was in excess of £4,100. The youngest swimmer was nearly two, the eldest being somewhere in her 70's.

2004 saw the last sponsored swim. We now raise money with grants and gifts from our very generous donors, to whom we are always very grateful.

All money raised is spent directly for the benefit of children. We are completely voluntary and unpaid.