A YOUNGSTER with learning difficulties has left people “astounded” after being taught to swim… and he’s now gearing up for a gruelling water-based fundraiser.

Five months ago Caiden Page, 13, who has autism and ADHD, couldn’t even swim, but fast-forward to today and he is training to raise £1,000 for charity next month.

His determination has left the boss of his part-time job feeling inspired after the quiet, polite character has come out of his shell to take on an unprecedented challenge.

Jay Barham, who runs Buttercakes and Sweets, a food trailer in West End Lane, Dovercourt, hired Caiden to help out with his business back in March.

During a team building day at a water park it became apparent to the 38-year-old that the youngster couldn’t swim, so he offered to bring him along to his twice-weekly swimming lessons.

“One of my friends drowned out at sea when I was the same age as Caiden,” Mr Barham said, “Since then I’ve always found it really important to be able to swim.

“When we went to the water park it became very apparent, very quickly that Caiden couldn’t swim. He looked petrified and wouldn’t let go of my life jacket.

“I thought I would offer him the chance to come with me to my swimming lessons so he could learn for himself. Now, five months later, he can swim.

“I told him I was doing the Swimathon this year and he really wanted to get involved. Change is really difficult for him but he’s really taken to it and enjoys it.

“With his disabilities you have to concentrate on his interests, and he is clearly interested in this – his family are astounded by his progress.

Gazette: Jay Barham and Caiden Page, 13

“We’ve gone through so much since March. When he joined, people said you can’t get him to do stuff, he really struggles at school – well, he’s roaring through everything now.

“It’s true what they say – if they can’t learn the way we teach, we need to teach the way they learn. I never wanted to think to myself ‘they’re his problems, not mine’ and just got rid of him, he’s taught me so much.

“He is really, really determined, so friendly and polite and has such a nice character.”

Mr Barham, who has Parkinsons, saw a lot of his own struggles in Caiden, having had difficulties throughout his own education due to his dyslexia.

He added: “Unfortunately Caiden struggles with the concept of learning, and I had this too during my time at school. Teaching can be very regimented and often in a very ‘one size fits all’ format.

“It’s surprising how many people walk away from you when you tell them your problems, they don’t want to know. You can’t change their perception of you but you can take time to help other people.

“The biggest thing I’ve learnt over the past five months is when you give your time to a person who has disabilities, the most amazing things can happen.

“Any person who has a disability can give so much in there own way, we just need to put the difference into learning to make this happen.”

The pair will be swimmingon Sunday, September 12.

You can donate via bit.ly/3ypuIaI.