We've reached the finishing line

8:00am Thursday 28th August 2008

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THE Shuttle/Times & News appeal to get two Wyre Forest sports clubs “Back on Track” following a devastating fire has rocketed past its £25,000 target thanks to “overwhelming” community support.

The appeal was launched in January following an arson attack at Stourport Sports Club that destroyed all the crucial sporting equipment belonging to Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic Club and Stourport Hockey Club.

Both clubs boasted strong junior sections and it was the juniors at both clubs that were most affected by the fire, with their coaching and development under threat.

This week, Kidderminster Carnival organisers announced they had raised a magnificent £2,500 for the appeal.

This lifts the total beyond the target, even without grants totalling £3,000 made specifically to the athletics club by England Athletics and Wyre Forest District Council’s Xpression scheme.

Colin Hill, carnival chairman, said: “It was great to support the appeal. The loss of the clubhouse was very sad and we wanted to help young people in the district.

“Both these clubs offer fantastic opportunities for young people but had to suffer a massive setback.”

He added: “It is great for the carnival to cap off the appeal as well. This is really excellent news. All the hard work by the carnival committee has really helped this good cause.”

Members of both clubs have been “overwhelmed” by the response .

They recognise the appeal has been boosted by all sections of the community, including individual donors, other sports clubs and players, businessmen, schools and a host of district organisations.

Ron Oliver, club chairman and junior coach, said: “The success of the appeal has been a really big achievement for the community and the Shuttle/Times & News.

“We can’t thank everyone enough. Without their support we would not have been able to go on and it’s a great feeling now.”

Mr Oliver said club members had been “very low” at Christmas and news of the appeal in January had come “out of the blue”.

He explained that the club’s aim for the year had just been to survive but now it was looking ahead to a stronger future.

He added the club’s 100 juniors had already begun to show “big improvements” now that much of the equipment had been replaced and they could train properly.

Mr Oliver said: “We had no perception of how the community saw us before the appeal. It has been a wonderful surprise finding out.

“We feel very proud and honoured by what the community has achieved to help get us Back on Track.”

Holly Lashford, vice-chairman of Stourport Hockey Club, said: “It feels fantastic. We are overwhelmed by the community’s reaction to the appeal. It is amazing how many local people have contributed.”

She explained that the hockey club was now able to offer their 150 junior members competitive hockey again while the adults were also benefiting.

She added: “We are very grateful to the Kidderminster Carnival committee. I know the tremendous amount of work that is put into the carnival each year.

“They do an awful lot for the community and the fact that they chose our appeal as beneficiary is fantastic.”