Pop idols donate to Arthur's bid for school pool

GARETH GATES AND BECKY HILL BOTH GIVE £1,000

- WILLIAM TELFORD

POP idol Gareth Gates and DJ/singer Becky Hill have each donated £1,000 to a Plymouth boy’s campaign to overhaul his school’s swimming pool.

The hit-makers have backed the Arthur’s Too Pool for School appeal, which aims to revamp the outdoor swimming pool at Elburton Primary School, in Plymstock.

The appeal was begun by eight-year-old Arthur Manners, who has the ultrarare ETBP1 haploinsufficiency disorder, a genetic condition thought to affect only one in 100 million people.

It means Arthur is unable to speak and has to use sign language, but he loves to splash in a pool and finds it helps his condition.

Gates became involved after appearing at the Relive at Argyle festival in May, when Arthur’s parents sent him a message. After performing his set, which was enjoyed by Arthur, he met mum and dad Emily Stevens-White and Shaun Manners, and heard all about Arthur and his campaign.