Staff take a stand against pool vandals

Yobs smashed a window, damaged tills and stole cash during a break-in at School of Swimmers in Dinnington in January.

Barbara Wilding, who runs the facility, and Natalie Doherty, marketing manager, have organised a family fun day to raise money for the pool.

It will take place on Saturday, April 16 - exactly two years since it opened.

Mrs Doherty said: “The break-in probably caused about £1,000 worth of damage in total and this event is to prove that we will not let the vandals win.

“We don’t receive any government or private funding so we put on these sort of events to keep the pool above water as the running costs are astronomical.”

The event will feature craft stalls, an outdoor bar, bouncy castles and Redroad FM will also be broadcasting live from the Brooklands Park Industrial Estate facility.

Ms Wilding teaches up to 300 children every week, ranging from two-and-a-half to 12-years-old.

She also runs lessons for adults to learn to swim at the Low Common Road pool.

“I do what I do for the good of the community and I can’t believe people would stoop so low when it is a facility for them,” Ms Wilding said.

The event on Apri 16 will start at 11am and run until 4pm. To book a stall at the event call Ms Wilding on 01909 565055.