A Northumberland school’s plan to build a hydrotherapy pool that will support children with various disabilities and special needs has been boosted with a £5,000 donation from Lynemouth Power Limited.
With 172 children aged between two and 19 years, Cleaswell Hill School in Guide Post is the largest special school in the county. Without their own facilities, the children have to travel to other pools if they are to enjoy the multiple physical and emotional benefits of hydrotherapy, taking important learning time out of their school day.
Headteacher Kevin Burdis is leading a campaign to raise £550,000 for a purpose-built pool on his school’s grounds. “We’ve allocated £200,000 from our own budget and we’re relying on the generosity of local business, parents and other friends of the school to raise the remainder,” explained Kevin.
“Hydrotherapy provides numerous benefits to children with a range of physical, medical or emotional needs. It strengthens muscles and joints, stimulates movement and has wonderfully soothing qualities, especially for children with autism. If we can build our own pool we will save on the costs of having to travel elsewhere and even more importantly, the children won’t miss out on their lessons and other activities within the school.
“All of us at Cleaswell Hill are extremely grateful to Lynemouth Power Ltd for this very kind donation. The money will go a long way towards turning our dream of owning our own hydrotherapy pool into a reality.”
To ensure pupils are able to make the most out of their pool sessions, Cleaswell Hill employs six staff fully trained in hydrotherapy.
Deborah Walton, finance director at Lynemouth Power said: “Our team has been hugely impressed by the dedication and commitment shown by Cleaswell Hill staff to ensure all of the children receive the best possible life enhancing opportunities. The school has put together a very compelling, robust financial case and we wish them all the very best with their future fundraising. I can’t wait to see the finished pool and the rewards it will bring to so many local children.”
Lynemouth Power Limited, which employs more than 130 people, is in the process of being converted from a coal-fired plant to biomass. On completion, the plant will generate sufficient green energy to power 450,000 homes.