AN appeal to raise money for new pool facilities at a special school near Northallerton has entered a new phase.

The Hydro Duck Appeal at the Dales School, Morton on Swale, has successfully raised £60,000 to replace the school’s hydrotherapy pool.

The next phase of fundraising, to be called the Techno Duck Appeal, will raise a further £40,000 for new changing facilities, toilets and technology to enhance the learning environment.

Pupils at the school, who have severe and complex learning needs, use the pool for physiotherapy and building confidence.

A celebration evening to mark the completion of the first phase of the appeal was attended by Rishi Sunak, the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Richmond..

The school’s assistant head teacher, Anne Baker, said the new pool would be enhanced as a learning environment with the addition of interactive sound and lighting, as well as improved changing facilities.

“The local community has been fantastic in supporting our fundraising efforts so far and we are so grateful for all the money-raising initiatives,” she said.

Mrs Baker said the mascot for the appeal, known as Hydro Duck, had travelled all over the world to raise the cause’s profile, visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Las Vegas, Australia and Egypt.

And a new mascot for the next phase of the appeal is to be called Techo Duck.

Mr Sunak performed the official opening of the pool and said: “This is a superb new facility which will be a tremendous resource for the pupils.

“Having visited the school previously I know how much they enjoy using it and how valuable it is as a therapeutic tool.”

The Dales School is for children with severe and complex learning needs.