Appeal for funds to keep park skaters dry

Around 140,000 is needed to install a covered area over the ramps at Skateopia on Skerne Road, Driffield.

As well as affecting attendance, the continued exposure to the elements has meant the Skatepark Committee is having to replace some of the ramps.

The recent bad weather meant that free Easter holiday sessions for youngsters had to be postponed.

Pat Harrison, treasurer of the Skatepark Committee, said despite having reached the 96,000 mark at one point, the fundraising pot has since been reduced to 43,000 after offers of grants from funding bodies, including the Sports and Arts Foundation and Biffa, were withdrawn because the committee has failed to secure Lottery funding from Sport England.

Mrs Harrison said: "We have tirelessly been trying to get the funding for the roof but it's difficult because funding bodies like Sports England have their own criteria and they don't particularly think it would attract new people," she added.

But Mrs Harrison insisted: "We have youngsters coming from all over, from York to Scarborough and Hull and we know that having a roof would mean it was worth them making the journey to Driffield, including new people as well."

Mrs Harrison needs to prove to the funding bodies that the skatepark is likely to attract new people and is appealing for new users to send in letters of support for the roof, which can be attached to the funding application.

These can be sent to Pat Harrison at 1 Driffield Road, Nafferton, YO25 4JJ.

For more information see www.skateopia.com