£20,000 for Pavilion 2022 from Black Tie do
Pavilion 2022 fundraisers are toasting a successful charity night at Lythe Hill Hotel which raised £20,000 for the campaign. The black tie dinner and auction was a sell out and the first of several big events in the next couple of years. Big ticket lots included an aerobatic flight over Goodwood and a country house stay in the Highlands.
Organiser Kate Brooks said “We wanted it to be a really special evening to mark the beginning of the main fundraising for Pavilion 2022. So many faces from the sports club, the village and surrounding area came to show their support. Their generosity expressed an enthusiasm for the campaign which has certainly shown us that Pavilion 2022 can be done.”
Following a large increase in sports participation in recent years, Fernhurst Recreation Ground Trust (FRGT) says it is essential that the existing building is renovated and extended. Plans for an ‘all new’ pavilion had to be ditched after a disappointing response from one of the lottery grant bodies.
Trustee Bill Gourlay told the audience at Lythe Hill “It is a myth that the lottery is just going to step in and solve everything. Council budgets are also under strain so we will have to do most of this ourselves. It is crucial for our children and the village as a whole that we can get these facilities up to date. The £20,000 total from the black tie do is fantastic. Added to pledges from local people our running total is now more than £155,000. It’s a great start but we still have a long way to go.”
A variety of different events are being organised for 2019. The legendary Blackdown Run is being revived in April while in July the cricket club will host the world famous Lashings team. More big workouts and a barn dance are also planned. Kate says “We hope there will be an event for everyone and what we are asking for is participation. These events won’t cost the earth but if we can get strong turnouts we will see the total rise and rise.”