Fundraisers are on a mission to save a swimming pool which has seen countless people learn to swim over 50 years.

A campaign has been set up to save the pool at Cecil Road Primary School in Gravesend, which is in desperate need of an overhaul.

The funding would help pay for a much-needed upgrade to the facilities. The roof needs replacing, which contains asbestos. They also want to upgrade the changing rooms and install baby-changing facilities.

The pool opened more than 50 years ago, and staff believe it is a really important part of the school as well as the community.

Sport coordinator Mark Neville said: “This is a very important part of our school. It’s where all of our children learn to swim, and it helps them stay fit and healthy especially as all the local school swimming pools are now closed or are only open half the year.”

They tried to get funding through the Aviva Community Fund but narrowly failed to reach the required number of votes to secure the cash.

"It’s where all of our children learn to swim, and it helps them stay fit and healthy especially as all the local school swimming pools are now closed or are only open half the year" Mark Neville

The pool is used to teach the children the basics of swimming and is an important part of their PE lessons.

Mr Neville said: “These lessons raise water confidence and may one day help to save a life.

“Within our community we have a high number of adults and children who cannot swim and for some the costs of using a local swimming pool make learning even more difficult.”

The school would like to open the pool to a wider audience and offer sessions to encourage people to lead a healthier lifestyle and become more active.

They recently became an ASA Charter swimming school and are working with the ASA swimming development officer to figure out what they can do to achieve that.

Two swimming schools run lessons seven days a week which are open to all, ranging from baby and toddler to non-adult swimmers.

They would also like offer female-only sessions.

Can you help? Contact us at gravesendmessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk