Two members of Penrith Swimming Club have been awarded life membership in recognition of their achievements.
Doug and Rosie Huggon received the award at the club’s recent annual general meeting.
Doug moved to Penrith in the late 1980s and has been an instrumental part of the club for more than 35 years, it said.
Doug has held roles including chief coach, chair and secretary, but, he said, his real passion was supporting the development of young swimmers.
He formulated and led the club’s reorganisation into its current squad format.
The club said: “He has been a strong influence on many young lives at the club.
“Doug’s outstanding efforts towards bringing out the best in swimmers is immeasurable as he has coached numerous swimmers to achieve national accolades as well as promoting the lifelong enjoyment swimming can provide to all.”
He was born in Carlisle and swam for Border City Swimming Club in his youth, representing the club at regional and national competitions.
Rosie hails from a family with a long esteemed association with the club and started swimming when the club was based at Frenchfield, swimming in the River Eamont.
She has had a successful swimming career, representing the club at county and regional competitions as well as being national champion while representing her country in lifesaving and was awarded the Royal Life Saving Society’s Wilkinson Sword in 1982.
The club said Rosie played a significant role in supporting the club’s fundraising efforts led by her late mum to build the Frenchfield Teaching Pool at Penrith Leisure Centre.
As well as being involved in coaching the club’s swimmers, Rosie has been the club’s long-serving membership secretary.
In recent years, Rosie has spearheaded the club’s fundraising efforts in aid of Brain Tumour Research by coordinating two sponsored swims that have raised over £10,000.
Nigel Harling, chairman of Penrith Swimming Club, said: “Doug and Rosie have been instrumental in the club’s development through the ages.
“They are beacons of knowledge and always have the club and its members in their hearts – we are very fortunate to have them involved and long may it last.”
