BASILDON'S Phoenix Swimming Club have been able to provide members with new kit bags thanks to a £250 donation from EDF Energy networks.

The energy firm donated the cash after employee Steven Mellor applied for a grant as part of the company’s Team Sport Award Scheme.

EDF Energy Networks runs the scheme to help encourage staff to take part in community-based projects that promote health and fitness.

Mellor, a field engineer based at EDF Energy’s offices at Purfleet, said: “It’s great to receive this award on behalf of the club from EDF Energy Networks as it enabled us to provide the swimmers with equipment bags for their training camp in Turkey.

“I have a strong family involvement with the club as my wife Linda is a timekeeper and judge and officiates at many galas.

“My 12-year-old daughter Caroline is a member of the competitive squad and trains with them at 5.30am five days a week.

“The club has had particular success recently and last season was promoted to Division One of the Essex Swimming League.

“This season it finished fourth in this division.”

The Phoenix club was formed in 2000 and uses a number of pools in south Essex for training and club sessions.

It has about 150 members catering mainly for the five to 16 age group, although some adults also swim.