More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
There is a buzz of excitement at Five Acre Wood School, as pupils look forward to the creation of a new hydrotherapy pool – and the next major project.
The Boughton Lane school in Maidstone held a ground-breaking event yesterday on February 12 to mark the start of construction work, attended by pupils and builders.
It comes after a huge fundraising drive – including everything from nine-year-old Ethan Brass doing an obstacle course to the Boughton Monchelsea Community Choir donating their £500 fee from a wedding – helped reach the overall £1.06 million building cost.
The pool will replace a smaller one that’s more than 20 years old.
Natalie Chalmers, sensory learning approach lead, said: “Some youngsters, because of their limited mobility or size, there are things they can’t do on land. However, the warmth of the water and the buoyancy loosens their muscles and allows them to stretch. One young lady can only move her hips up and down on the mat.
"But in the pool she can move her legs more independently and the smile on her face lights up a room. She’s actually got control over her own body."
The pupils who will follow a tailor-made physical therapy programme, which will include ball games and stretches.
Baby groups and people with injuries will also benefit when the pool opens on September 11, and welcomes the public.
Friends of Five Acre Wood School, Kent Messenger's charity of the year, recently launched their latest campaign; Buy a Brick.
The charity aims to raise £50,000 towards a house, where the older students can practise valuable life skills, such as cooking and woodwork.
The house, just like the hydrotherapy pool will bring more smiles to the students faces, as they survey a window they have fixed, or invite their friends for home-made cookies.
Whether it's a bake sale or scaling a mountain in aid of the campaign, or simply donating £25, the price of a brick, your contributions would make a big difference.
To help the campaign, visit tinyurl.com/KMbuyabrick
