Ospreys players visited Penllergaer Primary School's profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) unit this week ahead of the region's Munster fixture on Saturday, where fundraising will be taking place in aid of the school's 'Splash' Appeal.
The Splash Appeal was launched with the aim of raising £1million to build a hydrotherapy pool within the grounds of Penllergaer Primary School, providing the children at the PMLD unit, who suffer from cerebral palsy and other physical and learning disabilities, with an invaluable resource that will help them build up their muscles and aid independent activity.
Ospreys and Wales stars Mike Phillips, Lee Byrne and Ian Evans met the eight children, along with parents and teachers from the PMLD unit, ahead of Saturday’s Magners League fixture, where bucket collections will be taking place before, at half time, and after the game throughout the Liberty Stadium.
Lee Byrne said:
“It’s been a really great experience to be able to come along to the PMLD unit and meet the children that will be benefiting from the Splash Appeal, which is something all the players are getting behind as our nominated charity for Saturday’s fixture against Munster. We hope the fans that come along on the weekend will get behind this project and help the charity achieve its goal."
Currently the children have use of a pool in the local special school, however the facility is in great demand and heavily over subscribed, which means access is very limited with many children only able to use the pool for half an hour a week.
Penllergaer Splash Appeal trustee Chris Williams said she was delighted that the Ospreys are lending their support:
“It’s great that the Ospreys are putting their weight behind the Splash appeal, and we really appreciated the players giving up their time to come and visit the PMLD unit. The children were really excited to have some visitors and have their photo taken with the players, as were the parents and teachers!
“Hydrotherapy pools are wonderful facilities and the children, staff, governors and parents of the school have taken on the challenge of raising this £1,000,000 to build a facility, in the school grounds, which will serve not only the school but other community based organisations.
“I hope that Ospreys fans will dig deep and give generously to the cause, it would be fantastic to be able to offer these young people with a first class hydrotherapy facility that the community can be proud of.”
In addition to the fundraising activity, the Stadium will also be hosting a rare home performance from Welsh superstar Bonnie Tyler, who will be singing the title track to the new Mal Pope musical, Cappuccino Girls in a rare home appearance. The Splash Appeal has strong links with the play, benefiting from proceeds from the sale of the soundtrack.