Grant boosts fire-hit club

1:50pm Tuesday 19th August 2008

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A SHUTTLE/Times & News appeal to help a Wyre Forest athletics club after a devastating fire has been boosted by a £500 grant from The Midcounties Co-operative Community Fund.

The Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic Club base was destroyed in an arson attack in December, 2007. The grant will go towards replacing £20,000 worth of kit and equipment also wrecked in the blaze.

Stourport Athletics Club was formed in 1972 and merged with the Kidderminster Running Club in 2000. The club has 160 members, aged from nine to 70.

Sue Saunders, club secretary, endurance coach and team manager, said: “We were devastated by the news that all our athletics equipment had been destroyed through this act of vandalism.

“We lost everything from hurdles to javelins, to running vests and shorts and we have not been able to host competitions.

“The local community has been great in helping us reach our target of £25,000, which is needed to repair the facility and replace what was lost. We are very grateful to The Midcounties Co-operative for helping us towards our goal.”

The club competes in a variety of national competitions and leagues throughout the year and welcomes new members of all ages and ability levels.

Maxine Sharman, senior community co-ordinator at Midcounties, said: “The Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic Club is a fantastic example of an organisation helping people of all ages keep fit and healthy and it was a great shame when the fire caused so much damage.

“We are committed to assisting community initiatives and we hope the club is back up and running as soon as possible.”

For more information about the athletics club, which is based at the Alan Morton Track, Stourport, call 01562 861431 or 01562 632524.