Gazette News

Skate news for park revamp

4:40pm Saturday 13th March 2010

TADLEY youths are getting their new skate park now that all funds are in place.

In a tale of true community spirit, £88,000 has been raised by the Jake and Lee Tadley Youth Fund and work can finally begin to refurbish the skate park at the Recreation Ground in Tadley Common Road.

Caroline Hall, committee member and trustee of the charity, said: “People say there’s no community spirit but Tadley has come out in force.

“We hope that the ground work will start this month and the work is being done by Maverick, who have been brilliant. They specialise in skate parks, and ours will be suitable for pros and youngsters.”

Tadley-based BMX Professional Mike Miller has helped draw up the plans, which have been approved by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

The fund was set up by a group of mothers following the death in a car crash of Tadley youths Jake Burden, 18, and Lee Robinson, 16, in 2007, and committee members have been fundraising for the skate park – where the teenagers spent a lot of time – ever since.

The main chunk of money – £50,000 – came from the Big Lottery Fund’s People’s Millions grant last year.

Funds also came from the Tadley Co-op supermarket’s Community Support Card, which raised £15,000 while youth fund members raised almost £8,000 through wrist bands, car boot sales, skate park jams and other events. Tadley Town Council has granted £10,000 and Helping Hands charity shop, in Franklin Avenue, Tadley, has donated £5,000.

Miss Hall, of Burney Bit, Pamber Heath, said: “We are so proud of what we have achieved. We came together as a group in tragic circumstances. Jake and Lee meant so much to so many people.”

The 49-year-old added that project has had support from The Hurst Community College, where Jake and Lee were pupils, and that the youth fund, which is a registered charity, will be approaching the town’s youngsters for other long-term projects once the skate park is complete.

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