HYDROTHERAPY pool managers hope a huge fundraising effort will put the Stratton facility in a good position to run for another four decades.

The Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

And manager Neil Montgomery wants to use the landmark birthday to help raise thousands of pounds for the Jefferies Avenue health pool.

Neil, who has been manager for the past eight years, has not set a fundraising target. But he hopes to raise enough to ensure the pool has enough cash in the bank to run for a year with no extra income coming into its accounts. On average, it costs up to £140,000 to run the facility.

The pool kickstarted its fundraising efforts with a reception for politicians, local business groups and charities at Crowdy’s Hill School. A quiz night, rock-and-roll bingo night and festive concerts are planned for later in the year.

“We are able to get people in the pool and, if they can’t swim because of their injuries or illnesses, they can stand in the water and exercise. The warm water helps with the blood flow,” said Neil.

Some had experienced miraculous recoveries as a result of regularly exercising in the pool.

Neil said: “One young lady had a stroke when she was in her early 30s and because of that had a lack of movement. My previous assistant manager got her swimming again on her back.” From that, the lady progressed to being able to walk again.

Edwina Styles, 62, from West Swindon, who uses the pool at least twice a week, told the Advertiser that it was a valuable asset for the community.

She said: “It makes such a big difference. We need to fight to keep it going. The fact that it’s still here proves that its users think it’s a very valuable facility.

“I’ve got osteoarthritis in my knees and hips and it’s much easier to exercise in the pool’s warm water, which relaxes my muscles, and the buoyancy helps too.

“People come here for different reasons, but I’ve never heard anyone say a bad word about it.”

For Neil, who used to work as a gym instructor at the Link Centre, the highlight of his job was seeing the benefit people got from exercising in the warm waters.

“When you’re doing a job that’s not very nice, then you see people in the water and the benefit they get, it makes it worth it,” he said.

Opened in 1979, Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool helps around 700 people a week.

The warm water in the pool, which is heated to 34C, can alleviate pain in people with arthritis and other conditions. Swimmers are referred by the GP, but can ask their family doctor whether they would be eligible for swim sessions.

For more information and to donate, call 01793 496002 or visit www.thamesdownhydrotherapypool.com.