Waitaki Aquatic Centre is encouraging people to "give the gift of swimming" this Christmas to help teach local children to be safe in the water.

This is the second year of the initiative. Over the past year, the centre has provided over 250 lessons including for 17 children who would otherwise never have had access.

"For every child we teach to swim and have water safety skills, we lower the risk of a child drowning... and grow confidence in our children to love swimming and the water", a spokesperson said.

"To be able to do this we rely on donations from companies, businesses, staff, our customers and the general public."

Lessons cost $9 or $90 per term and the money donated funds swimming lessons for families and people in the community who do not have the means to pay.

The centre works with community organisations to identify families or people who will benefit most.

Donors can join Mayor Gary Kircher in having a bauble with their name hung on the centre's Christmas tree.

Donations can be made in person at the centre or via internet banking. The centre requests people use the following details for donations made by bank transfer to the Waitaki Aquatic Centre.

Account: 02-0940-0156400-005

Particulars: Give a Gift

Code: Donation

Reference: Your name

Swimming lessons in action: Photo: Supplied