South Yorkshire Times October 25, 1969

Helping Her New Friends

A former Mexborough schoolgirl has recently appeared on Canadian television, swearing away to a healthy bank balance for her new swimming Club.

Little 10 years old came Thornton, who until July Attended Doncaster Rd, Junior School, Mexborough, now lives in Ontario.

She has been swimming ever since her father, Mr John Thornton, a welder, allowed to attend Denaby Swimming Club, when she was five.

She was eager to join a swimming club when she settled into her new home in Canada, and when she found the Club was a little short of cash she volunteered to do something about it.

A large Canadian firm and one of the teachers sponsored her swimming at $0.60 a length of the clubs pool. Kim swam 72 lengths and raised over $43 – about £18.

The event proves so unusual that a TV film crew went to record her efforts, but for Kim the event was nothing new, for she had taken part in a marathon swimming event at Denaby.

“She has always loved to be in the water,” said Kim’s grandmother, Mrs Bessie Smith, of Birdwell Road, Kilnhurst.