THIS SUNDAY five daredevils will jump from over 13,000 feet to raise money for repairs for the much-loved swimming pool in Leonard Stanley Primary School.
A group of school parents, governors and even a local district councillor, are making the final preparations ahead of their nerve-racking skydive from over 13,000 feet.
The jump this Sunday is raising crucial funds to fix the foundations of Leonard Stanley Primary School’s swimming pool.
Without these funds, the pool faces long-term closure depriving both the school children and local community of a vital resource.
The current Crowdfunder has raised close to £15,000 with nearly 300 members of the community donating.
Local businesses and clubs have also rallied behind the cause with donations from The Prime Practice physio, Cotswold Energy Group and Leonard Stanley Sharks Football Club.
In addition to this one member of the community, Lisa Bazley, whose father helped build the pool in the 1960s personally donated a huge £6,000.
Despite these generous donations the group are calling for one last push for donations ahead of Sunday’s skydive with the total needing to be raised to save the pool being estimated to be around £45,000 (plus VAT).
Cracks appeared last year in the pool’s foundations after the summer heatwave caused subsidence.
The group of five taking part in the jump include Lisa Williams, the school office manager who has just battled cancer and has said that she is willing to do “whatever it takes” to keep the pool open.
She will be jumping alongside Sue Tabb, the chair of governors and former teacher at the school, Andrew Perry a current parent who also sits as a governor, Rob Higgins another school parent plus Cllr Steve Hynd, the Green Party District Councillor for The Stanley’s.
The group wants to represent more than just the school and involve the wider community - stressing that the pool serves the whole village, not just the children who attended Leonard Stanley Primary School.
Ally Higgins who is both a parent and member of the PTA and who is organising the jump said “To have close to 300 people, businesses and local clubs donate shows just how much this pool means to so many.
"We’re close now to these 5 brave souls throwing themselves out of a plane.
"Please, if you or your business have not already donated, then please do now in these last few days.”
Cllr Steve Hynd added: “I’ve been really blown away by the generosity of the communities’ response.
"It’s clear how much this swimming pool means to people. We will fight tooth and nail to make sure it is open to not just the kids at Leonard Stanley Primary School, but the whole community who have historically used the pool outside of school hours.
"The community are willing to do anything to keep this pool open and so it seems reasonable to throw myself out of a plane for this!”
Lisa Williams, the school office manager commented when asked why she was jumping: “Like so many in the village, I learnt to swim in this pool.
"For many, it is their only access to swimming at all.
"I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep this pool open.
"Not just for the school but for every child and family locally who swims in it.”
To donate please visit Team Leonard Stanley’s JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/teamleonardstanleyskydivers
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