Fence Fund

Weymouth St. Pauls Harriers & Athlectic Club

£15,000 is required to erect a security fence around the running track, which is in very poor condition. The track was due to be updated with a synthetic surface in 2004, but nothing has been done. They would also like to train their coaches.

About the initiative

We are trying to raise £15,000 to erect a security fence around our running track. The track is in a very poor condition, but before funds can be claimed to repair the track, the fence has to be in place.

The track was opened in 1962 and is a cinder track, it was due to be updated to a synthetic one in 2004, but nothing has been done.

You can view photos on www.runtrackdir.com/details.
But as this site hasn't been updated since 2002, the track is far worse.

Our athletes range in age from 8 years right up to adults. The problem is with our really up and coming athletes, who move to different clubs that have better training facilities; we don't want to lose them at this stage.

The fence means that coaches don't have to rake long jump pits for dog mess and don't have to deal with out of control youths harassing and endangering both them and the athletes.

This fence would mean that children that are on the waiting list to join can do so, making athletics more accessible for a lot more children.

I have been fundraising for the club for just over 4 months now and so far over £3,000 has been raised.

It's a shame with the Olympics coming to Weymouth that a simple security fence can't be erected.

Any questions about the club or the fence fund, please contact Karen Plunkett.

What we could do with a bronze award worth £1,000

With £15,000 to raise, any amount that could be awarded would make a difference.

Each amount that is raised for the fence fund, brings us nearer to actually erecting the fence.

The fence in place means that other funds can be applied to improve the track itself. Also the fence in place means several more children in Weymouth can join an athletics club, and become healthier.

The fence in place would also mean that more coaches would want to be involved in our athletics club.

What we could do with a silver award worth £12,500 or even the gold award worth £50,000

If the club was given the Silver Award, it would mean that the fence could be erected straight away. This would also enable all the children that are on the waiting list to join the club straight away.

If the club was given the Gold Award, not only could the fence be erected, more coaches could be sent for training.
There would also be enough funding to start making improvements to the track itself. More athletics equipment could be purchased.

Our final word

Our running track is the only one in Weymouth, so it's very important to keep the track in use.

It's very important to have as many children using athletics facilities as possible, as all you hear about from the news is the number of children and adults who are obese.

With the Olympics coming to Britain in 2012, our athletes should be encouraged more than ever.