Swimming teacher Tracey Ayton nominated for Pride of Australia award

TRACEY Ayton couldn't stand poolside when she thought children with disabilities were missing out.

Pride Tracy Auyton

TRACEY Ayton couldn't stand poolside when she thought children with disabilities were missing out.

So she threw in a comfortable job as a swimming instructor and established the Little Heroes Swim Academy, one of the only organisations to offer subsidised swimming lessons to children with disabilities.

"It's all about getting these kids out of their chairs and getting them more opportunities," Ms Ayton said.

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"We're told, 'They can't go to the beach (or) they can't go in cold water'. They just have to have the chance and the opportunity.

"I saw the need for this to happen. There are plenty of programs around; just not for special needs kids."

The school has grown from seven students at Bondi Icebergs to more than 120 students throughout Sydney."Seeing children who can't walk, seeing children being educated in drowning prevention, I do get a lot of joy out of it," she said.

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Ms Ayton has been nominated for the Pride of Australia Award Community Spirit Medal by her husband Rod. "She just seems to see what these kids need," he said.

Nominations will be accepted until Tuesday, July 16.

TO SEE ALL THE CATEGORIES AND NOMINATIONS, GO TO WWW.PRIDEOFAUSTRALIA.COM.AU