A SCHOOL is asking people to dip into their pockets to raise funds to revamp its swimming pool.

Carden Primary School’s pool has been out of action for more than a decade, with children having to go to nearby schools while their own facilities fade away.

The school in County Oak Avenue, Hollingbury, Brighton, is calling on the public to give future generations the chance to get to grips with the water as pupils now have nowhere nearby to go after Patcham Junior School’s pool was closed.

Helen Longton-Howorth, Carden’s headteacher, said it was a shame the pool was out of use but said the education funding crisis meant the school was unable to reopen it by itself.

She said: “Obviously because of the crisis we don’t have any spare cash so we can’t afford it.

“Originally, we thought it was going to cost millions to refurbish the pool but it will only cost about £12,000 and then running costs.

“The pool is small so it would be great for the young kids.”

A private donor gave £7,500 to the fundraiser.

The school is now looking for a further £3,000 to get it up and running and £4,000 for one year’s running costs.

Ms Longton-Howorth’s urged people to consider donating and said: “Getting the pool re-done would be an asset for the tight-knit community of Hollingbury.

“It is important because it will give the children a place to learn how to swim, and other schools in the area would be able to use it too.”

She said her pupils children would “love” to have a pool.

And children from other schools in the area, including Patcham Junior, would be able to make use of the refurbished facility to make up for the lack of swimming space in Hollingbury.

Parents are also involved in the fundraiser.

On the fundraiser page, it states: “We are a PTA [Parent Teacher Association] raising money for a primary school to fund equipment and enrichment activities for children attending the school.

“Currently we are fundraising to refurbish and run our school swimming pool which has been out of action for many years.

“We are looking for £3,000 to get the swimming pool up and running and £4,000 to run it for one year.

“We have staff and parents taking part in the Brighton Half Marathon in February 2018 and you can sponsor them here.”

To donate and help the school revamp its swimming pool, go to www.localgiving.org/charity/cardenpta.

The Asda supermarket in Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury, also has a green token bin where people can donate to the cause.