Published 4 April 2016 

Seventy five-year old Wendy Jacklin from Sherburn-in-Elmet has been working as a lifeguard and swimming teacher at Tadcaster Community Swimming Pool for nearly two decades.

Wendy learned to swim at the centre at the age of 55. After completing the adult swimming lessons, she qualified as a lifeguard and then as a swimming teacher and has been volunteering at Tadcaster pool ever since.

During that time, Wendy has attended monthly training courses and has re-taken the Royal Life Saving Society’s (RLSS UK) National Pool Lifeguard Qualification every two years to learn the latest lifesaving skills and techniques. In fact, Wendy has just successfully completed the qualification for the tenth time.

“I would like to give a big thank you to all of the staff and volunteers at Tadcaster Community Swimming Pool. The help of these people make it possible for me to get through my test and to continue to do what I love by giving something back to the community while lifeguarding,” said Wendy.

“Once again, Wendy has shown us all how it’s done and we’re extremely happy that her hard work has paid off,” says Chris Porter, facility manager of Tadcaster Community Swimming Pool. “As a charitable organisation, we rely heavily on our volunteers. Wendy is a valued member of the team and a true inspiration to us all here at Tadcaster. She has struggled with illness over the last year, but rarely misses her volunteer sessions. The regulars go mental if she’s not there.”

The RLSS UK, the UK’s leading provider of lifeguarding and water safety training and education, is awarding Wendy with a Certificate of Recognition for her services to lifeguarding on 11th April.

Martin Symcox, director of IQL UK, the training subsidiary of RLSS UK, says: “Wendy’s commitment to lifesaving is truly admirable and we hope that Tadcaster pool and the local community continues to benefit from her work for many more years to come.”

Following in Wendy’s footsteps are her eldest two grandchildren, who are both volunteer lifeguards at the poor. Fleur Standen, aged 18, is also qualified as a swimming teacher, while 16-year-old Blase Standen is due to complete his teacher training by the end of the year.