Parents are rallying behind efforts to keep a vitally important hydrotherapy pool at Humberston Park School open. This cherished resource, offering vital therapeutic benefits to children and adults with disabilities, is under threat due to the increasing cost of energy and decreasing levels of funds.
Since its inauguration in 2007, the pool has acted as a sanctuary for users, with no other equivalent facility available in this locality.
One user, sixteen-year-old Isla Winchester, who deals with rare genetic brain disorders, gains both pleasure and increased mobility from her time in the water. Her mother, Claire, refers to these experiences as priceless. She adds that her daughter draws confidence and joy from the pool, stating that without it, they would feel a sense of isolation.
Financial pressures on the facility are growing, with annual energy outgoings having risen from £12,000 to £30,000. This leaves question marks over the pool’s future. In her role as Trustee and Business Manager at the school, Gemma Rylatt draws attention to the economic difficulties, which have been heightened due to a drop in donations since the start of the pandemic.
The pool also plays a significant role in the life of 10-year-old Alfie Searby and his family. His mother, Rebecca, portrays the pool as a steady source of joy and advancement for Alfie, who flourishes in the soothing, supportive environment that he did not find in conventional swimming lessons.
In endeavouring to stop the pool from closing, the community is working together in a bid to secure much-needed funding. Rylatt is calling upon local businesses and individuals for support in the form of contributions, underlining the crucial part the pool plays in the lives of those who use it. Donations can be made by email or on the pool’s fundraising page.
This story was adapted from the original report by www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk by The Lincoln Post.
