Swimming coach presented with Unsung Hero Award 2014

Did you watch BBC Sports Personality of the Year this weekend? While there was some controversy over the winner of this highly-esteemed accolade, there was a winner of another prestigious award that there could be absolutely no doubt over whatsoever. Coach Jill Stidever was presented with the 2014 BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero award after helping children learn to swim. Jill has certainly been working hard for her award- she’s spent almost 60 years helping thousands of children with special needs. The 77-year-old has been described as "one-in-a million" by people who know her, along with the people she has helped along the way. For Jill, her work has allowed for her to assist in altering the opinion of many in the public eye as far as disabled sport is concerned, as well as encouraging people to see disability swimmers as athletes. "For my team, husband and all the rest who supported me, thank you very much," said Jill Stidever. "I had a seven-year-old boy win a race last weekend and he made a little speech thanking us for the medal. "I have got tears and it was that that was particularly special. It was also special that parents have trusted their children to me over the last few years. I'm not the most conventional but I work new ways to help them. Thank you to all those who have supported me," she added. Stidiver, who lives near Hinckley in Leicestershire, works 40 hours a week coaching, raising funds and organising. And some of the children she has helped have gone on to swim at the Paralympics. For our visitors who have children of varying needs, our Devon holiday cottages with pool facilities provide a great chance for them to enjoy the same experience as many of Jill’s swimming students in her classes. *Image courtesy of the BBC.

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Honey Pot Cottage
Honey Pot Cottage

Honey Pot is a beautiful, compact cottage ideal for couples. Honey Pot is dog-friendly and fully equipped for a comfortable break in North Devon.

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Primrose Lane  Cottage
Primrose Lane Cottage

Primrose Lane cottage is a dog-friendly, compact cottage. Boasting a double bedroom, Primrose Lane cottage can sleep up to 3 with a pull out sofa bed ideal for children

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Buttercup Cottage
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Located in the courtyard, Honeysuckle Cottage is dog-friendly and ideal for families of up to 4.

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Sea View  Cottage
Sea View Cottage

Sea View cottage is a superb, dog-friendly holiday cottage with stunning views across the North Devon coast. Ideal for families of 5. The bedrooms have the amazing view across the Sterridge valley and the Bristol Channel to Wales

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Sunalways Cottage
Sunalways Cottage

Sunalways Cottage is a spacious, family-friendly cottage sleeping 5 with beautiful views of the Sterridge valley. The vaulted ceilings give a large bright spacious living area

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Fisherswood  Cottage
Fisherswood Cottage

Fisherswood Cottage is a large and spacious cottage with beautiful vaulted ceilings. Sleeping up to 5 guests.

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Forest View  Cottage
Forest View Cottage

Forest View Cottage is a large, spacious cottage ideal for large families. This cottage is dog-friendly and can sleep up to 6 guests.

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Meadow Sweet Cottage
Meadow Sweet Cottage

Meadow Sweet is dog friendly and the largest cottage at Smythen Farm. Book this cottage early as its well sort-after for large families or 2 families sharing. Meadow Sweet boasts stunning views across the Sterridge Valley.

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