A TEENAGER who opened a swimming club to help disabled children learn to swim is now a qualified swimming teacher thanks to a Tadcaster community group.

Jemima Browning, 17, from Stutton, Tadcaster, set up Stingrays swimming club in 2015 to help improve the lives of people with disabilities.

The club coaches 13 swimmers of different ages, ranging from 11 to 18, with a variety of disabilities.

Tadcaster Community Engagement Forum, comprised of board members and volunteers, managed to raise £1,000 so Jemima could become qualified to help teach members of Stingrays club who are part of the Down Syndrome Great Britain Swimming Team and could one day compete at the Paralympics.

Jemima and her brother William, who has Down’s Syndrome, are on the Special Olympics Europe Inclusive Activation Committee for their involvement in Play Unified, an organisation which joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same sports team.

Last year she was awarded The Diana Award from Princes William and Harry.

The award is given to young individuals for their humanitarian work.

Fiona Garnett, Swimming Development Manager, said: “Jemima has shown a special passion for teaching children with disabilities. I have never come across such a thoughtful, inspiring and driven young person who is changing the lives of other for the better.”

Jemima said: “I am grateful to Tadcaster CEF for allowing me to follow my passion.

“I have always been very passionate that people with disabilities of all ages deserve the same opportunities that people without disabilities receive. I love teaching swimming because of the difference I see both in the water and out.”