Help Molly Raise Funds for a New Pool Slide

Molly O'Dwyer was visiting Carterton's outdoor pool last summer when she noticed hardly any young swimmers choosing to use the slide. "It's closed-in and you either had to go head-first or on your back. If you go head-first you slam your head into the water; if you go on your back, the little ridges on the side, it hurts your back a little, it kind of skins it."

At the suggestion of her mother Amanda O'Dwyer, Molly wrote to Carterton Mayor Greg Lang to ask for an upgrade to the slide because of the current one's poor design and safety issues.

"A couple of days later, in the mail, I got a letter back and that made me feel really good." Greg Lang also suggested she come and speak to the Council about it as part of the Long Term Plan consultation.

To prove it was a concern for youngsters in the area, Molly spoke to her fellow pupils at St Mary's Catholic School and created a petition signed by her peers, teachers, whānau, and school staff. She gathered 91 signatures, about one per cent of the district's total population, and was allowed to stay up late the night before the submissions to put the finishing touches to her presentation.

Knowing how much Carterton loves using the free pools in summer, CDC agreed to donate $10,000 towards a new slide. After a few months of hunting, we've found a good (and affordable) slide and we're ready to start fundraising the remaining amount! Rangatahi to Rangatira Carterton has come on board as a the community fundholder, and is supporting the fundraising effort. We've got a number of fundraising initiatives coming up - keep an eye out in 2022 for ways you can donate towards the slide. Every little bit counts!

Read more of the story here:

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/443514/carterton-10-year-old-campaigns-for-new-pool-slide