Blake Aldridge reopens Midfield Primary School's swimming pool after £10k fundraising campaign

News Shopper helped launch Midfield Primary School’s quest to raise at least £10,000 in October.

Refurbishments are now complete and the pool boasts fantastic new changing rooms and showers, a new pool liner, a new water filter and a stunning canopy and patio area.

Last week the school in Grovelands Road, St Paul’s Cray, held a grand reopening to celebrate the hard work by pupils and parents.

Children’s charity Wooden Spoon donated £12,500, Bromley Council’s behaviour service gave £5,000 and building company Mears Group renovated the changing rooms for free.

The pupils also organised their own fundraising events and filled Smarties tubes with £1 coins.

All of the Cray community can benefit from the pool, with The Grovelands Centre and St Peter and St Paul Catholic Primary School using it once a week.

School office manager Vicky Sutherland, who led the campaign, said: “Blake was the perfect person to open the pool and did us proud.

“The whole day was a celebration of a fantastic community project.

“We have a pool now that will last for many decades.

“It’s fit for purpose and we’re getting lots of interest from people who would like to use it.

“It was despair in September and we didn’t even believe in our wildest dreams that the campaign would be the success it was.”

BLAKE ALDRIDGE

Blake Aldridge, who started diving at Crystal Palace diving club, told News Shopper it was an honour to have been a part of the grand reopening.

He said: “Everyone involved in the campaign pulled together and all deserve a massive pat on the back.

“Swimming is of massive importance to children.

“I had access to swimming when I was at primary school and I don’t believe I’d be where I am now without that.

“Being aware of water and understanding the dangers are things you only learn if you get the chance to learn how to swim.

“To have that opportunity in your own back yard is fantastic for the children.”