Community trust gives physio pool $300,000

Barbara Bridger.
Barbara Bridger.
The physio pool fundraising campaign has had its biggest donation to date - $300,000 from the Otago Community Trust.

The fundraising tally is now more than $700,000 of the $1.5 million required.

Trust chief executive Barbara Bridger, of Dunedin, said the pool was a ''key iconic facility'' and the trust did not want to see it disappear.

The pool was used mostly by ''vulnerable'' people who typically did not have the resources and infrastructure to fundraise large sums.

Helping the vulnerable and empowering people represented the ''core of what the community trust is about''.

''We feel that it's got so much community support that it's an ideal thing for the community trust.''

Ms Bridger hoped the donation would encourage others to give.

''We're really hoping that by showing our overwhelming support for it that that may encourage others who may be wondering whether they should [donate].''

She said the pool trust had done a great job of running the campaign, but they ''can't do it on their own''.

''We're really happy to be part of that solution.''

The trust faced more hard work once it had the money, when it could turn its attention to restoring the pool.

''If we can make this bit a fait accompli for them then the committee can get on with the job in hand and restore that facility to its former glory,'' Ms Bridger said.

Otago Therapeutic Pool Trust secretary-treasurer Neville Martin said it was great to see the community trust put its ''considerable weight'' behind the project.

''I encourage people and groups to continue donating money and to support the dance.''

Tickets for the fundraising dance on June 20 at Forbury Park cost $60 each, or $550 for a group of 10 people.

Contemporary folk duo Catgut and Steel will play during the evening.

eileen.goodwin@odt.co.nz

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