I, Paola Taddia, coordinator of the Chicco Balboni Educational and Rehabilitation Center in Villanova di Castenaso, managed by Casa Santa Chiara, a nonprofit social cooperative based in Bologna, am writing to request your generous support to make a butterfly-shaped hydrotherapy bath available to the children with disabilities attending our center.

The hydrotherapy bath has already been donated to the center. It is currently still installed in a private home but has never been used. It needs to be disconnected, transported, installed, and commissioned, and the room that will house it must be adapted for the new service.

The butterfly-shaped bath measures 280 x 200 x 100 cm and has a usable water capacity of 700 liters.

It would be used for water-based treatments and relaxing massages, including water jets delivered through a hydrotherapy hose for underwater massage or targeted massage jets, as well as built-in whirlpool jets. The effect of the water jets can also be enhanced by adding an adjustable amount of air to improve the massage effect.

This type of water-based activity is expected to help the children relax their muscles, relieve their joints, and improve their overall physical and psychological well-being.

The butterfly shape allows the educator easy access from all sides.

The equipment includes a ceiling-mounted hoist, which will need to be adapted and adjusted to the sloping ceiling of the new room.

The room intended for the butterfly bath is currently a changing room for the gym in the center’s courtyard. A partition wall will divide it into two areas: one will house the bath, while the other will remain a gym changing room. The change of use has been reported to the local municipality, which must also receive a CIL notification of commencement of works and the associated project documentation.

Various works are required: technical design; disconnection and installation work at both the current property and the new location; moving and handling; dismantling and reassembling the hoist; electrical work for lighting, sockets in the new wall, and a 380-volt connection; plumbing for drainage, water supply, outlets, and heating; masonry work to create and seal openings and channels and install wall finishes; heating and plumbing work, including the purchase and installation of heating units, a water heater and boiler, and an extractor fan to remove humidity; and the purchase and installation of a door and all materials needed to maintain the system once installed. Finally, the installation must be tested and commissioned.

The total cost of the works described is approximately €10,000.00.

Work is expected to begin in mid-to-late February of this year.

Provision must also be made for regular maintenance of the bath once it is in operation.

This educational and rehabilitation activity, tailored to the needs and wishes of the children attending the center, is considered a valuable resource that contributes to their well-being and personal growth.

You demonstrated your interest in this type of water-based activity a few years ago through a proposal to build a new wing at the Chicco Center with a pool for water-based activities, changing rooms, and changing tables. A fundraising campaign was to be organized for that project. Although it ultimately did not go ahead, it has remained close to all our hearts.

I am available to provide further information, quotations, project documentation, and photographs. Trusting in your generous support, I thank you for your attention and send my warmest regards.

The Center Coordinator

Paola Taddia

Villanova di Castenaso, January 21, 2017