Ballinger Charitable TrustChopwell Pump Track
Friends of Chopwell Park have worked incredibly hard to bring about the construction of a new pump cycle track for residents and visitors to use in Chopwell, Gateshead borough.
£140,000 of grant money had been secured to carry out the build from Sport England and Leader. However, Friends of Chopwell Park did not have the reserves to fund the cashflow required for the construction work, which had to be paid in advance.
BCT already knew Friends of Chopwell Park through previous micro-grant funding, facilitated by Chopwell’s three local Councillors. Through open discussion with them, BCT was pleased to loan £55,000 interest-free for a short period to fund the construction work cashflow, whilst the secured grant payments were awaited.
Pictured is Danny Hart, using the new pump track after its opening in July 2020.
Among the hundreds of comments received, here are just a few:
“Thanks a lot – adults and kids are going to really enjoy this well done”
“Can’t wait to take kids! Well done for all the hard work x”
“Oooo this looks like it would be good for our blades and skates”
“I think I know where I will be at the weekend!”
“Wow!”
“Kids are loving it! Matty got up at 9 this morning ( he hasn’t seen that time of day since this lockdown began!) and was straight out!”
“The track will be used all hours of the day and night everyone loves it.”
“It’s mint!”
