Rochdale man helps raise over £140,000 to open new hydrotherapy pool in Castleton in memory of his wife

Dave and Rose Richardson

Dave Richardson from Rochdale has helped raise over £140,000 to fund a new hydrotherapy pool at Castleton Health and Leisure Centre.

Dave, 75, has dedicated the last six years of his life to raise funds to open a hydrotherapy pool for the local community. The inspiration came from Dave’s late wife, Rose, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the late 1990s. Rose spearheaded the fundraising efforts before she passed away in March 2021. 

Dave said: “Parkinson’s affected every area of Rose’s life, I remember when we had our grandson and she didn’t feel comfortable holding him because of her tremor.”

As Rose’s condition worsened, she was advised to visit a hydrotherapy pool to help manage her pain.

A hydrotherapy pool is particularly helpful for treating Parkinson's symptoms because the temperature is higher than a normal swimming pool which helps muscles to relax; easing joints, reducing pain, and making gentle exercise much easier. Unfortunately, the family didn’t have access to facilities locally. 

Over the last six years, Dave and his supporters held various fundraising events, from comedy nights and concerts, and received donations from local businesses and sports groups, raising over £140,000 to build a hydrotherapy pool in the local community. 
 

Read more: Castleton Health & Leisure CIC looks for big cash boost for hydrotherapy poolPublished: 05 May 2019
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Dave continued: “Rose was the brains and driving force behind this project. We started fundraising together, but in March 2021, her health deteriorated and she sadly died at the age of 72. This project meant everything to Rose, so I continued fundraising to make it happen. I’m proud to say the pool will be opening soon and we have named it ‘HydRose’ in her memory.”

Dave wants to say a special thank you to Nick Crewe from Crewe Industrial Services for supporting him in making Rose’s dream a reality. 

Helen Sturman, Area Development Manager at Parkinson’s UK, said: “We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported Dave and Rose’s inspirational fundraising journey. Rose was a valued member of the Rochdale Parkinson's UK group and her legacy will make a big difference to people living with Parkinson’s and other conditions for years to come.”

Rose’s legacy, ‘HydRose’, is due to open in autumn this year at Castleton Health and Leisure Centre.