A therapy and fitness facility for students at a specialist Shropshire college is another step closer to completion thanks to a generous charity donation.

The new hydrotherapy pool for use by students at Derwen College, near Oswestry, has been given a financial boost from Borderland Rotary Club and local Rotary International District 1180.

Representatives of Borderland Rotary Club and the District visited the college for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities to see how the build was coming along. They also presented them with a cheque for £1,520 towards a vital specialist shower trolley.

Borderland Rotary Club in Oswestry kindly agreed a donation of £760 towards the cost of a shower trolley with powered backrest for the new hydrotherapy pool. This donation was matched by a grant of a further £760 from the local Rotary International District 1180.

Geoff Barre, President of Borderland Rotary, and Assistant District Governor Sherie Soper examined plans for the build and presented the cheque for £1,520 to Principal Meryl Green and student Thomas Alexander.

Mr Barre said: “Though Borderland Rotary supports the college every year by providing a bookstall at the Derwen Fete, the club is pleased to contribute towards this hydrotherapy pool project which will benefit so many students at this incredible college. We are also delighted that the project fits one of the programmes eligible for a matching grant from our Rotary District, doubling our donation.to £1,520.”

Principal Meryl Green was pleased to accept the cheque and to show the visitors around the new site.

She said: “Derwen College has been raising money for the bespoke hydrotherapy building with pool and specialist changing and therapy areas over the past year. We are delighted to receive this generous donation that will allow us to purchase a specialist shower trolley which will help make the pool and changing area accessible to all of our students.”

For more information on supporting Derwen College Charity visit www.supportderwen.org.uk

Pictured: is L to R Meryl Green, (Derwen) Geoff Barre, (President Borderland Rotary) Sherie Soper (Borderland) & Thomas Alexander (Student)