Football legend Harry Redknapp paid a visit to the Victoria Education Centre in Poole to mark the start of building work on the centre's new hydrotherapy pool.

The former Premier League manager is a patron of the charity Sparkle, which raises money for the centre run by Livability. The school, which has been in Lindsay Road for more than 50 years, offers specialised, high quality care and therapy for young people with complex physical disabilities and neurological difficulties.

Mr Redknapp was greeted by appeal manager at Sparkle, Diana Newbury, and Paul Gale, area director of Morgan Sindall - the main contractor on the project.

Also in attendance was Tim Andrews, managing director of Hollywood Monster which designed and supplied the project sign now on display showing what the new facility will look like when it is complete.


Work has just commenced on the project following two and a half years of fundraising to raise the £2.8 million necessary to put the much-needed new facility in place. Hydrotherapy plays a vital part in the development and wellbeing of the pupils and the project has received an immense amount of support from the local community.

Appeal manager at Sparkle, Diana Newbury, said: "It's fantastic to see work starting on the hydrotherapy pool after all the hard work everyone has put in to raise the money needed to build it. The people of Dorset have given tremendous support to this project. Seeing the pleasure and benefit the children get from being in the pool is priceless - we cannot thank our supporters enough."

Paul Gale, area director at Morgan Sindall, said: "This top specification hydrotherapy pool will be a superb addition to the facilities at Victoria Education Centre. The benefits of hydrotherapy are enormous and providing the pool and therapy service in one building will ensure the needs of all the pupils are met. We have a wealth of experience on vital projects like this one - it's fantastic to play a part in developing such an important facility in the local community."

(CD/GK)