Mystery donor keeps Arundel Lido’s appeal afloat

Arundel Lido has seen an overwhelming response to its plea to aise £40,000 for a new boiler

Dozens of people have already rallied round and appeal organisers were thrilled to receive an immediate cash donation of a staggering £10,000 from a generous donor who prefers to remain anonymous, as well as two donations of £500 each from regular Lido swimmers.

Supporters are also diving in to sign up for tickets for the appeal’s “lottery” which will give people who buy a £10 “degree certificate” the chance to win £1,000.

This will be limited to 2,000 tickets and dozens have already been sold, even before the tickets were printed.

And all this before the Lido’s official launch of its appeal, today (Saturday, March 16).

David Wood, chairman of the Arundel and Downland Community Leisure Trust, which is responsible for the Lido, said he was “bowled over” by the impressive response from the community in the town.

“I’m thrilled by the response from Arundel,” he said. “It’s been more than 10 years since we asked the people of Arundel to support us and, yet again, they are heeding our calls.

“It shows that they really love this facility and that it means a lot to the people in the town.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the cheque for £10,000, given to us a couple of weeks ago.”

So far, the fund-raising kitty stands at around £12,000. David added that on Friday (March 8) he purchased the new boiler to replace its broken-down, 30-year-old predecessor.

With all going well, it should be fitted before the pool opens, on May 25.

He said that the £40,000 appeal was needed to top up the Lido’s “perilously low” reserve funds.

“For the past three years, the poor summer weather has dealt us a real blow. Getting a new boiler takes our reserves down to a perilously low level.

“What that would mean is if something else major was to go wrong, say with the filter, or perhaps a hole in the car park, it would put us in a critical situation,” he explained.

The lottery will be limited to 2,000 tickets, which are on sale at several shops in Arundel. Many other fund-raising events are being planned and the SPLAT team which did so much to help save the Lido when it was threatened with permanent closure several years ago is being relaunched to organise these.

David added: “We’re off to a flying start, but there’s still a lot to be done, so we would be grateful for anyone who would like to donate to the appeal, or support it in any way, to please get in touch.”

Anyone who would like to find out more about the appeal to fund the new boiler or to help in any way, is asked to call 01903 884772, email [email protected] or visit the website www.arundel-lido.com