Morgan fan zone raises £5k for swimming pool

A large screen was put up at Bishop's Castle College for spectators to watch Ollie Morgan's progress

A fan zone where people watched swimmer Ollie Morgan compete at Paris 2024 raised £5,000 for his home town's swimming pool.

The 21-year-old's friends, family, and the community watched his progress on a large screen at Bishops Castle College.

Morgan came 4th with Team GB in the men's 4x100m medley relay on Sunday, and finished 8th in the 100m backstroke final.

"The whole emphasis of the fan zone was not only to support Oliver, but also to raise money for our swimming pool, which is 50 years old," said Josh Dickin, Mayor of Bishop's Castle.

The money will go towards improvements to the pool, including its lining

"It was built for the community, by the community, it’s in desperate need of refurbing," he told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"There needs to be £250,000 raised, and this event raised £5,000 towards that target over the last week."

The campaign to raise the funds runs until early 2025.

Mr Dickin stressed the importance of swimming pools and learning to swim in rural communities.

"If it weren't for the pool here, most probably, Oliver wouldn’t be at Paris 2024," he added.

"It’s very rare that a community like ours produces an Olympian of elite standard."

Josh Dickin, Bishop's Castle's Mayor, says Ollie has put the town on the map

Hundreds flocked to the college to watch Morgan compete, and Mr Dickins told the BBC the community was immensely proud.

Bishop's Castle's twin town, in Saint-Marcel, Normandy, got involved in celebrations for Morgan too.

"They put up a big banner wishing Oliver luck, that I supplied to them, in French," Mr Dickins said.

"I had to try again because I got the French wrong the first time."