Hamilton's Hydrotherapy Pool appeal project got a much-lifted profile boost when local parliamentary candidate for Hamilton West, Tim Macindoe had his hair dyed blue in Hamilton's Civic Plaza last week.

The Hamilton Hydrotherapy Pool Charitable Trust accepted a novel offer from Macindoe to change his hair colour as a way of raising much needed funds and giving a profile boost the appeal.

Macindoe said he wanted to give the appeal some more publicity. "So while I'm aiming to raise a useful sum immediately in sponsorship for my new hairstyle, my main purpose is to create greater long term knowledge of the project and to boost support for the appeal generally."

Macindoe first became aware of the vision to build a purpose-built hydrotherapy pool at Waterworld in Hamilton in 2005 when he was campaigning for the Hamilton West electorate.   
"I have been a long-time and committed supporter of the Hamilton Hydrotherapy Pool fund-raising appeal and all of the proceeds from this hair-brained idea will go to the Trust for what is a very good cause," said Macindoe.

Fund-raising for the pool, began almost 18 months ago and Rasmussen says the fund-raising campaign has reached the half-way point with a total $600,000 having been raised to date. A total of $1.2 million is required to complete the community's contribution towards the estimated $2.4 project. The Hamilton City Council will contribute towards capital cost and have paid $180,000 for the plans and specifications for the pool.

Tim will continue collecting towards the pool at his meetings for a long as his hair is still an eye-catching blue.

Hamilton's Hydrotherapy Pool Appeal has a new fund-raising project which will involve Hamilton West parliamentary candidate Tim Macindoe making a radical change to his hair colour in Hamilton's Garden Place next week.

The Hamilton Hydrotherapy Pool Charitable Trust has accepted a novel offer from Hamilton West parliamentary candidate Tim Macindoe who will have his hair dyed bright blue next Wednesday (July 30) between 2pm and 3.30pm in Hamilton's Garden Place.

The hair colouring will be carried out by local hairdressing proprietor Patrick Lennan of Patrick's Salons. Patrick is generously donating his time and products in support of the fundraiser.

Macindoe would like to raise the awareness of the Hamilton Hydrotherapy Pool appeal, "So while I'm aiming to raise a useful sum immediately in sponsorship for my new hairstyle, my main purpose is to create greater long term knowledge of the project and to boost support for the appeal generally."
 
Macindoe had been thinking about ways to achieve the goal of building a hydrotherapy pool when "the idea came to me out of the blue!  Perhaps we could get together all the candidates standing in the upcoming election and they could all dye their hair in keeping with their political party's colours. The other candidates have been approached but none wished to take up the offer. A few people think I'm nuts ­ and they're probably right ­ but most people I've spoken to think it's a great idea.  You've got to let your hair down occasionally."

Macindoe hopes his hair-colouring activity will raise several thousand dollars for the appeal.

Macindoe first became aware of the vision to build a purpose-built hydrotherapy pool at Waterworld in Hamilton in 2005 when he was campaigning for the Hamilton West electorate.    "I have been a long-time and committed supporter of the Hamilton Hydrotherapy Pool fund-raising appeal and all of the proceeds from this hair-brained idea will go to the Trust for what is a very good cause," said Macindoe.

"I am hoping people will get right behind me and pledge money towards the Trust," Macindoe said.

Macindoe is not sure how his National Party colleagues will react to his new hair colour when he attends the party conference in Wellington the next weekend or how long it will take before his original shade of grey returns.

Hamilton Hydrotherapy Pool Charitable Trust project co-ordinator Ailsa Rasmussen was quick to support Mr Macindoe's suggestion. "We always welcome some fresh fundraising ideas and Tim is to be commended for this innovative way of fundraising, she said.

Fund-raising for the pool, began almost 18 months ago and Rasmussen says the fund-raising campaign has reached the half-way point with a total $600,000 having been raised to date. A total of $1.2 million is required to complete the community's contribution towards the estimated $2.4 project. The Hamilton City Council will contribute 33% of the capital cost and have paid $180,000 for the plans and specifications for the pool.

Everybody in the community at sometime in their lives will use this specially designed, fully accessible pool, in which the water is heated to between 33 and 35°C, including babies, the elderly, pregnant women, those with special needs, the sports injured, and those recovering from operations, accident or trauma.