TWENTY-THREE members of the Barry Beavers Disabled Swimming Club put in a series of medal-winning performances in the Welsh Championships at Pontypool.

Team places for this annual event are much sought after and the efforts of all the swimmers gave great pleasure to team coach Pat Finch and official Eunice Lamb, who is such an encouragement at poolside and has been much missed in her absence,

The 10 medals for the Beavers came from:

Gold - men's 25m, Phillip Daly, and junior relay, Jesse and Shannon Rodgers and Courtney and Layla Rogers.

Silver - girls' 25m, Ffion Jones; girls' 50m, Courtney Rogers; men's 50m, David Lalande; girls' 100m, Layla Rogers

Bronze - girls' 50m, Shannon Rodgers; girls' 100m, Talisha Rogers; ladies' 100m, Heather Williams (celebrating her birthday), and men's 100m, Nicholas Cushen.

A regular competitor over the years, when he has won 27 medals and many trophies, David Lalande was appearing in his final gala before going to Lampeter University to study ancient civilisations. A club spokeswoman said: "We wish David well in his studies and will really miss him at our weekly swimming sessions and the galas."

Barry Beavers are still in desperate need of volunteers to help at swimming sessions on a Saturday afternoon (3.45-4.45pm) at Barry Leisure Centre. If the club are unable to find people willing to go along and help, they may have to turn disabled swimmers away and this would be a great shame as they get so much benefit from the water therapy.

If anyone feels they can help, then please ring Pat on 01446-747683 or turn up on a Saturday afternoon.