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Successful skateathon raises hundreds for Keith Kerbs


By Jonathan Clark

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A SUCCESSFUL skateathon raised hundreds of pounds for Keith Kerbs on Saturday.

Children enjoy the skate park. From left, Finlay Paton, Harley Farqurson, Riley Martin and Marc McHardy. Picture: Eric Cormack.
Children enjoy the skate park. From left, Finlay Paton, Harley Farqurson, Riley Martin and Marc McHardy. Picture: Eric Cormack.

The club was on the verge of cancelling the event due to poor uptake, but a late surge in support saw around 20 children turn up and raise £645.

Keith Kerbs put out a plea on social media last week saying that, if more interest shown was not shown, the event was in danger of being cancelled.

The post added: "Our yearly insurance costs just under £2000. If we don't have insurance we have to dip into funds set aside.

"It's your free-to-use skate park but we do need your help. We simply can't function without support."

The plea received the desired response, with chairperson Leanne McHardy "chuffed" with the turnout and the amount raised.

She said: "There are still a couple of forms to hand in so we have done well, we are chuffed – especially given the circumstances.

"Part of us was questioning whether it was worth going ahead with it and all of a sudden we had about 20 kids there on the day.

"We often find we have to put a plea out to get more people to come. Maybe folk just leave it to the last minute – but it was a really good turnout.

"It did start raining dead on noon but it didn't last long and we are glad we carried on in the end. Everyone seemed to enjoy the day."

Marc McHardy flies over a jump at the Keith Skate Park. Picture: Eric Cormack
Marc McHardy flies over a jump at the Keith Skate Park. Picture: Eric Cormack

With insurance costs £2000 a year, the skate park needs plenty of community support, especially given the coronavirus pandemic has stripped Kerbs of the chance to fundraise in their usual ways.

Ms McHardy added: "We are chuffed to see so many people using the skate park but we do need support.

"We haven't been able to fundraise at all, having cancelled our tombola and coffee morning, and were unsure whether to do this.

"Luckily we have got some money left from our ladies night in November, as well as a quiz last year, which has been a life-saver for us."

Keith Kerbs has money in the bank for new ramps – but that must be used specifically for ramps and not on the insurance.

The club, therefore, still needs the community's help to raise much-needed cash.

To donate, get in touch with the committee at tersmimi@yahoo.co.uk.

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