Pool Staff Plan Channel Challenge

Staff at two Derby swimming pools have raised £600 for vital maintenance and training on life-saving equipment available to the public.

More than 20 members of staff at Lonsdale Pool in Mickleover and Gayton Pool in Littleover were joined by some family, children and friends – taking it in turns to swim 1,664 lengths of Lonsdale Pool in a day - which is the equivalent to the 26 mile English Channel. Cake sale was also held at the pools organised by lifeguard Laura O’Donnell.

Both pools are run by Lonsdale Swimming & Sports Trust which previously raised money to buy defibrillators at both pools.  The recent efforts will be used to replace the defibrillator batteries which need to be changed every three to five years. The equipment is available both for pool users and the general public in the surrounding area in case of someone suffering a heart attack.

Sam Warner organised the sponsored swim and teaches at Gayton and Lonsdale pools.  She said: “Thankfully the defibrillators have not had to be used at either pool yet but they are a vital piece of equipment to have available as their use dramatically increases the chances of recovery for someone if they suffer a heart attack. “We had a great response from the thousands of children, parents and the general public who use the pool for lessons, clubs and community sessions and are delighted with the amount of money raised.”

Gayton was Derby’s first new swimming pool to be built by Derby City Council in 25 years. It was opened in January 2011 and is managed by Lonsdale Trust on behalf of the Council – replacing the ageing structure that had been condemned.

The Trust is currently on the search for a new 1.5 acre site to build a new £4 million pool to replace the ageing Lonsdale Pool on the former University of Derby campus in Mickleover.