FUND-raising for an upgrade of Wiveliscombe’s outdoor swimming pool has been boosted with a grant from a national housebuilding company.

Persimmon Homes South West has given Wivey Pool a £1,500 contribution from its community champions initiative, which provides £700,000 each year for good causes nationwide.

Wivey Pool, which is one of the oldest pools in Somerset, aims to raise £250,000 to build a new pavilion and needs to reach £60,000 this month to allow it to start making funding applications.

The community-run pool has been part of local life since 1927 and is operated by volunteer trustees as a registered charity to provide affordable swimming for all ages.

The pool offers classes and lessons along with working with local schools to teach children to swim and vital water safety skills.

Wivey Pool chairman Liz Hurry said: “We are hugely grateful to Persimmon for their support.

“As a community-run charity, every penny counts, and this donation will help us continue to provide affordable, sustainable swimming for local people of all ages.

“Wivey Pool is about much more than swimming, it is about health, wellbeing, and bringing the community together, and support like this helps keep that spirit alive.”

Persimmon Homes regional sales director Stacey Harris said: “Wivey Pool is a fantastic community-run facility with an incredible history, and we were very impressed with the way local people have worked together to secure its future.

“At Persimmon, we are delighted to be supporting their work through our community champions scheme, and we know this donation will make a real difference to the volunteers who keep this much-loved pool open for everybody to enjoy.”

Construction of a new pool house is scheduled for this winter and will allow Wivey Pool to extend its opening season by providing a warm, comfortable community space for swimmers, spectators, and staff.