South Norfolk Council funding picks up pace

The Club, which has been helping people get fit for over 40 years, received a £17,883 Pride in Place grant towards creating a covered area for their training ground in Ditchingham. They also received a further £8,000 from the Council’s Community Action Fund.

The new covered training area will enable the 200-strong Club to operate in all weathers and encourage more people of all ages to get fit and active.

South Norfolk Council’s Cabinet Member for Healthy & Active Lifestyles, Councillor Kim Carsok, said:

“I am so glad we can support this brilliant running club, they welcome all ages and abilities and make keeping fit fun and challenging. The money will help them to continue training all year round, whatever the weather and encourage greater participation.”

It also means the Club, which runs a monthly DSActive session for athletes with Down Sydrome, will be able to increase the frequency of their training sessions as they will no longer have to hold them in the village hall.

Plans are also underway to hold buggy runs for new parents and carers using the new area.

Coach John Wharton said:

“The new Covered Training Area (CTA) will enable us to grow our facility and reach more members of the local community. Wet weather will no longer restrict what we can do. Training always goes ahead whatever the weather, but even the hardiest athletes have reduced enthusiasm in cold rain! With the new facility anyone will be able to look forward to joining an inclusive and fun running club whatever the weather.”

The covered training area will comprise a sturdy, hot-galvanised steel frame and heavy-duty fire-resistant PVC fabric, it will also be towable on sleds, enabling modules to be separated and moved to different locations on the training ground for running events and training sessions.

The Council’s Pride in Place Grant is funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and provides funding for town and parish councils and voluntary and charitable organisations to enhance the local community.

Cllr Carsok added:

“We are keen to support projects that foster a sense of local pride and belonging and build resilient, healthy and safe neighbourhoods that people want to live and work in. If you have a project that needs funding, contact us to find out more.”

Find out more and apply for a grant.