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 appeal, dubbed ‘The Million Pound Mission,’ is the largest-ever fundraising campaign in the 20-year history of The Alan Shearer Foundation (ASF), which provides vital funding and support 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 the day Alan Shearer marked his final Premier League appearance with his 260th goal in a 4-1 Newcastle win over local rivals Sunderland.
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Over the past two decades, more than £7m 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,” the goalscoring legend and MotD presenter said.
“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.”
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.”
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.
Find out more on the Alan Shearer Foundation website.