Students at a drama academy have embarked on a mission to help one of their students raise enough money so he can have his own hydrotherapy pool. Dominic, who is eight, has been a student at Ariel’s East Grinstead drama academy for three years.

He was born eight weeks premature and has the brain injury Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL), this condition causes spasticity in Dominic’s arms and legs, resulting in Dominic being quadriplegic. The youngster has undergone long stretches of intensive therapy including physiotherapy, portage, occupational therapy and speech therapy, all of which he has faced with determination and without complaint.

As well as performing at Ariel, one of Dominic’s other passions is James Bond so the tutors at Ariel worked a 007 theme into their lesson plans for eight weeks.

This created pieces of drama, dance and song which culminated in a fundraising James Bond showcase on July 19 at the Jubilee Community Centre. More than 100 Ariel East Grinstead students took part in the Bond Extravaganza and an incredible £720 was raised for Dominic’s fund.

East Grinstead principal Karen Brown said: “We would like to thank parents and friends of Dominic and the Ariel Academy for supporting this event. “The students really rose to the challenge of raising money for Dominic, it was a real community event with Dominic’s mum and friends baking cakes and providing refreshments.

“The Jubilee Community Centre also supported this event wholeheartedly.

“I am very proud of my students, this typifies what Ariel is all about, we strive to be not just an excellent drama school but an integral part of the community.”