The Jack Petchey Crystal Awards at City Hall, London on October 2 marked the 15th anniversary of the Jack Petchey Foundation and the milestone of having given £100m to youth projects in London and Essex.

To mark the occasion Dunmow Atlantis Swimming Club was given a £1,500 award in recognition of their amazing work with young people from Dunmow and surrounding area.

The Dunmow club has approximately 155 members who range from ages seven to over 50.

The club has developed dramatically over the last five years and now has many County and Regional swimmers.

Three Atlantis swimmers gained national times and swam at Sheffield this year, which is amazing for such a small club.

The hard work shown by the swimmers and coaching staff is incredible, but without the Jack Petchey Foundation’s support the club would find it very difficult to meet the growing needs of the club.

The foundation is not only a grant funder, it also initiates and delivers many youth programmes to ensure that young people can find their unique talent and make a positive contribution to society including the world’s largest public speaking competition for young people, Speak Out.

The foundation provides over 2000 organisations with the means to recognise young people’s accomplishments through membership of the Achievement Award scheme.

This in turn invests almost £3m per year in grass roots youth work.

The founder, Jack Petchey, left school aged 13 with no qualifications yet went on to become a multi-millionaire.

His driving ambition has been to inspire and motivate young people and give them recognition for their achievements.

Jack Petchey CBE said: “I am proud of all the programmes we’ve been involved in and every single young person who has participated.

“We aim to help young people believe that “if I think I can, I can”, so that whatever their background, they will achieve, they will make positive contributions to society, and they will be satisfied in their lives.

“I am so committed to this that aged 90 I still come to the office every day.

“It is why we have given £100m to realise this.

“The Jack Petchey Crystal Awards recognise some of the amazing organisations like Dunmow Atlantis Swimming Club that support young people and share our vision.”

Amanda Simmons, secretary of Dunmow Atlantis Swimming Club, said: “The club is delighted to be associated with such a successful and committed foundation such as Jack Petchey.

“The work this foundation does is incredible and without their help and support many clubs and associations would not be able to meet the needs of their young people and give them the opportunity to fulfil their potential.”

Dame Helen Mirren said: “I am so proud to be a Patron of the Jack Petchey Foundation.

“It truly is inspirational to see so many young lives transformed as they come to believe in themselves and in what they can achieve.”