James Myles Thomas and Derek Murphy

James Myles Thomas is one of our regular customers at Amman Valley Leisure Centre who visits to swim twice a week with his carer Derek.

Derek Murphy has shared their story with us.

I have worked with James Myles Thomas one to one for nearly 12 years. My role has been to enable him to overcome the many hurdles he faces because of his disabilities.

Though James is blind and lives his life mostly in a wheelchair, he is an inspiration to all he comes in contact with, he is also an advocate for Spoken Welsh as he practices daily, the first question to everyone he meets is "Siarad Cymraeg”.

When James started going to Amman Valley Leisure Centre, he was only able to do a few lengths in the pool using the noodle, and his one good arm to swim. He cannot see, and cannot use his legs, but now swims up to 46 lengths (his personal best). He has been swimming ½ mile, twice a week for over 3 months as he has gone from not swimming to nearly 60 miles. Needless to say the health and well being benefits have been enormous.

James' next challenge for his own personal development, and to support others by raising money, will be a Swimathon over 26 miles. His plan is to do a marathon in the pool over 50 sessions or less, as he continues on his fitness and personal development.

Because James' legs cannot support him he needs help to change into his swim wear and uses the up-to-date wall mounted plinth in the disabled changing room in Ammanford.

The staff at Amman Valley Leisure Centre have all been amazingly supportive of James as he sets himself challenges in his ongoing progression, and all the other members of the public who use the pool have contributed to James having such a positive experience.

James lives his life mainly in his wheelchair, so to get out and do something independently is a massive boost to his self esteem. Can I do it myself is his favourite saying.

James is also involved in other community activities, such as coffee mornings, cooking at LFEC Church in Llanelli and Tabernacle Llwynhendy.

He greatly benefits from being out among others interacting, swimming in the pool, handcycling at Bikeability Dunvant, and the involvement in cooking for others in the adapted kitchen.

James is a people person and encourages others by his outlook, his care and concern.

James' first challenge, was an Ironman Challenge, completing 140 miles on the side-by-side bike to cover the 112 miles on a bike. This was followed by the 26-mile marathon, and 2.4 miles in the pool. He was able to raise money towards the bike, which now means he can continue to support others.

James now consistently uses his right arm, which he couldn’t previously use, and his grip with his right hand gets stronger every day.

Recent Achievements

London to Paris side by-side Fundraising challenge 23-24:

It raised over £3000 which went to two charities. This was the distance between London and Paris (247 miles) on the handcycle - done in stages from Dunvant to Mumbles and back.

Swimming the English channel distance of 22 miles:

1408 lengths at Amman Valley Leisure Centre Pool, over 68 sessions.

James is heading towards 60 miles in total at the swimming pool since starting his challenges. He started to swim just after COVID at Llanelli Leisure Centre for a number of years before switching to the Ammanford facility because the up-to-date facilities were more suitable for him.

The staff and facilities in Ammanford have currently facilitated James to swim 58 miles as of 5th November 2025.

James continues to use the bike which was donated to Bikeability Wales, Dunvant, Swansea. They maintain it and James can use it.  We have been raised money for Bikeability and Maggie’s Cancer Support Centre at Singleton Hospital, Swansea.