THE CHARITY

The HYDY Charity was set up as a need for a hydrotherapy pool became apparent whilst working with local arthritis sufferers who have to travel 13 miles to St Austell for the nearest hydro facility. This current scheme is council operated in a leisure centre complex and has limited disabled access. Another pool is situated at Treliske Hospital, Truro and is for hospital patients only. Members of Newquay Arthritis Care relied on the local 'Lions' minibus and volunteers to transport them to St Austell. As with all types of therapy the relief was often lost in the travelling time.

HYDY Committee members have visited various hydro pools within the country to see for themselves the pros and cons of a working pool environment and to talk with their staff. A visit to the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath was made by the Chairperson and Secretary to meet a top consultant in hydrotherapy (Helen Whitelock) who is widely acclaimed in her work. Helen Whitelock visited Newquay in 2001 and gave a talk to the committee and invited guests on the benefits of hydrotherapy in view of her support of the project.

The Newquay Hydrotherapy Pool Charity has come a long way since its conception in 1996 and is now at the stage of seeking funding towards the building of a hydrotherapy and respite centre.