ALLISON Homes South West has donated £500 to Bow Community Swimming Pool.

The donation follows the housebuilder’s call for applications from local charities and community groups.

The donation has been used to help a young person qualify for their National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ), enabling them to work at the pool as a lifeguard for the next two years and keep it open for children.

Remaining funds will be used to provide the chemicals required to maintain the pool throughout the summer.

Laura Martin, Chair of the Bow Swimming Pool Management Committee (BSPMC), commented: “The donation from Allison Homes has been a huge help – we have a small dedicated committee of volunteers that do everything we can to keep the pool up and running, but we are completely reliant on donations, grants and contributions towards swimming lessons, which has become more difficult as everyone is on a budget with the current cost of living.

“In previous years we have been lucky to have volunteers, but we now must employ four paid lifeguards which is our biggest expenditure. We try to keep the swimming session costs as low as possible to make them accessible to everyone, but with rising costs of cleaning products, electricity and water we are not in the financial position we’d like to be.

“The children absolutely love the pool, whatever the weather, and it’s great to hear them having so much fun whilst being active and out in the fresh air. The pool is also open to the public at weekends and school holidays – our aim is to get as many people using it as possible.”

Gemma Green, from Allison Homes South West, said: “We hope our small contribution helps the pool continue to bring joy to pupils and locals alike.”

Allison Homes is currently building new homes in Winkleigh, plus affordable homes in Tiverton and Witheridge.