In an incredible display of community unity, nearly £40,000 was successfully collected in less than a day to ensure the operations of the Humberston Park Hydrotherapy Pool for another year. The pool located at Humberston Park School was facing a potential closure due to increasing energy expenses and decreasing donations. However, the swift intervention by Grimsby Live and the exceptional generosity shown by local residents and businesses have ensured that the immediate energy bill of £30,000 has been paid.
Gemma Rylatt, who serves as both Trustee and Business Manager for the school, responded to the flood of support received with gratitude, remarking, “It’s been mayhem – the response we’ve received has been outstanding and we’ve been swamped with messages and phone calls. We’re enormously grateful because it’s making a huge difference.” However, Rylatt did not shy away from pointing out that their annual running cost of £60,000 means that there is still an enduring fundraising journey to be undertaken.
Local businesses have played a central role, with both Winner Winner Chicken Dinner and Lincs Tyres making significant contributions of £30,000 and £8,000 respectively. Gemma Mae Kirkham from Winner Winner Chicken Dinner commented on the pool’s importance to the local community, saying, “We understand the value of the pool to local residents and families, and as a business, we consider it a privilege to have been in a position to help.”
Hydrotherapy pools like the one located at Humberston Park School are invaluable assets to a community, offering various therapeutic advantages such as pain relief, increased circulation, and improved mental well-being. These pools act as a vital resource for individuals with mobility issues, offering a low-impact yet beneficial exercise option that encourages both healing and flexibility.
The kindness and generosity demonstrated by the community have provided a ray of hope, but ongoing backing is required to ensure the pool’s survival in the long term. Donations to the continuous GoFundMe campaign can help secure this.
This article was adapted by The Lincoln Post from the original report by www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk.
