A swimming club for disabled people which has been running for more than 50 years has been saved from closure following a fantastic response to an appeal for help.

Two weeks ago the Comet reported how the Dolphins Swimming Club, based at Stevenage Swimming Centre in St George’s Way, would be forced to close in a few weeks time if it didn’t find six people to help run its administration.

The club started in 1962 and helps people with special needs, including those with physical disabilities and learning difficulties.

The club – which currently has more than 120 members – was desperate for people to man the desk at the swimming centre to register members as present at a class, in order to meet with insurance criteria and the pool’s regulations.

As a registered charity, help was also needed with the accounts and annual report.

Club chairman David Wall, who joined the club 22 years ago when he moved to the town, said his appeal for volunteers in the Comet has resulted in more than 30 people offering to help out.

The retired bank manager said: “We have had a fantastic response from people with a variety of skills.

“Some have a business background or book keeping experience, others have experience of working with people with special needs, while some have more general skills.

“I was completely overwhelmed –and we had about 20 people come to our annual general meeting on Sunday.

“We now have a full committee for next year and we were able to set up a rota system to operate our reception desk at the pool.

“Just the sheer amount of responses and enthusiasm from people reassures me that we will definitely keep going. It has really restored my faith in humankind.”

For more information about the Dolphins Swimming Club, visit www.stevenage-dolphins.org.