Former Newcastle United and England captain Alan Shearer is launching a £1M appeal to build a second hydrotherapy pool at The Alan Shearer Centre in Newcastle after demand soared to 10,000 members.
The campaign, titled ‘The Million Pound Mission’, marks the largest fundraising effort in the 20-year history of the Alan Shearer Foundation, which provides essential funding to keep the Centre free for children and adults with complex disabilities.
As part of the ‘Raise Your Hand To Help’ initiative, inspired by Shearer’s famous goal celebration, the Foundation is encouraging individuals, communities and businesses to get involved in a range of ways, such as fundraising, partnerships and donations.
The £1M drive will fund the build of a second hydrotherapy pool to increase capacity, reduce waiting times and ensure more families can receive the specialist care they need. The campaign officially launches on 17th April, a date chosen to mark a defining moment in Alan Shearer’s career.
Over the past two decades, more than £7 million has already been raised to keep the Alan Shearer Centre open, a commitment that has now lasted longer than Alan’s 18-year professional football career. A vital source of support for many adults, children and families, the Centre is the only charity-run facility in the region providing this level of specialist support completely free of charge and accessible to all.
“Twenty years ago, we started something that has changed thousands of lives. But demand is growing fast, and standing still isn’t an option.”
“If more families need us, then we have to step up again. This mission is about building for the next twenty years, and I’m asking people to ‘raise your hand’ and be part of that.”
“I’m a proud dad, and I know how lucky I’ve been. When I walk into the Centre and see the strength of those families, it reminds me why this matters. It’s about giving every child the chance to thrive, whatever their circumstances.” Alan said.
Also launching in the Foundation’s 20th year, the campaign comes at a critical moment. What began as a promise following Shearer’s testimonial match has grown into a lifeline for thousands, but the scale of need is now rising faster than the Centre’s capacity, particularly for the hydrotherapy pool. For many members with physical and neurological conditions, those sessions are essential, and as numbers continue to grow, families increasingly struggle to secure regular access.
Matt Bowmaker, Director at the Alan Shearer Foundation, added: “We’ve reached more families than ever before, and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of. But it’s also made one thing clear, demand isn’t slowing down.”
“If we want the Centre to keep pace, we have to think bigger. The Million Pound Mission is about backing that growth properly, building the facilities families need, and inviting businesses and communities to play a real part in making it happen.”
Laura and John, whose four-year-old daughter Lucy attends the Centre, describe it as a lifeline not just for Lucy, but for the whole family. Born with Down syndrome and a heart condition, Lucy has faced many physical and mental challenges from an early age, but Laura says regular sessions in the hydrotherapy pool have a hugely lasting impact on her strength, mobility and confidence.
“We’re all in the same boat, but the Alan Shearer Centre understand that every boat looks different,” Laura explains. That understanding, she says, is what sets the Centre apart in its support.
As Lucy has grown older and started school, accessing the hydrotherapy pool has become significantly harder due to peak-time demand. For Laura, John and Lucy, a second pool would be life-changing in ensuring they can continue benefiting from the specialist support that has transformed their life and those of many other children like Lucy.
Operated by regional charity St Cuthbert’s Care, the Alan Shearer Centre works closely with the Foundation to ensure its facilities remain free and accessible.
Nic Gilbert, Chief Executive at St Cuthbert’s Care, said: “The number of families coming through our doors has grown significantly, and with that comes increased pressure on our facilities, particularly the hydrotherapy pool. For many of our members, those sessions are not a luxury, but essential to their physical health and overall wellbeing.”
“A second pool would transform what we’re able to offer. It would reduce waiting times, increase consistency of therapy and reassure families that the support they depend on will be there when they need it.”
Individuals, communities and businesses can also support the mission by organising their own fundraising activities, sponsored challenges, supporting the Foundation’s events, making donations or partnering with the charity through corporate initiatives and workplace fundraising.
As the Foundation marks its 20th year, the Million Pound Mission has set out a clear and urgent vision for the future.
Details on how individuals and businesses can get involved in the Million Pound Mission are available on the Alan Shearer Foundation website: https://www.alanshearerfoundation.org.uk/the-million-pound-mission/
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