SUPPORTERS of the Swanage Skatepark Community Project (SSCP) are seeking to raise £20,000 in a matter of weeks through a crowdfunding campaign.

They are aiming to get fundraising rolling towards the £200,000 cost of rebuilding the skatepark, at the King George playing field.

They also hope for another £6,000 of match funding from Sport England if the crowdfunding target is reached by Sunday, June 9.

Campaigners want to see new and improved skate ramps installed after Swanage Town Council removed unsafe ramps last year.

The council did not have the funds to replace them but later resurfaced some of the skatepark area and committed £15,000 towards the cost of new equipment.

Now SSCP volunteers, led by Lorna Haines, are working to secure local and national funding to rebuild the skatepark, using the campaign to show funders the local community’s support.

Lorna ran her first London Marathon in 2003 to raise money for the skatepark and now, 20 years later, is running the North Dorset Village Marathon and Relay on Sunday, May 5, for the cause.

Lorna said: “Rebuilding the skatepark to ensure we have a fun and accessible facility will lead to more positive outcomes for the young people of Swanage.

“Wheel-based sports are known for creating a better sense of wellbeing and can attract people who wouldn’t normally engage in mainstream sports.

“Happier and healthier young people create positive ripples that will be felt by the rest of our community, too.”

Businesses are supporting the crowdfunding campaign by offering rewards in return for donations.

For example, a £10 donation could land a voucher for a buy one get one free cream tea at Brook Tea Rooms or a donation of £100 a sea kayak experience for two from Fore Adventure.

James Woodford, from SSCP, said: “When I was younger this was always a busy place, we had no idea it was only funded and provided by Lorna’s efforts.

“Now the skatepark and the young people of Swanage are suffering again, another setback for this generation who already lost so much due to Covid-19 lockdowns.

“This is not just about building a bigger skatepark – creating better physical infrastructure will give people of all ages an alternative social and physical outlet and bring more vitality to the town.

“We really need the community to get behind this. There have been loads of positive changes in the area recently, new businesses and improvements that make Purbeck a better place, let’s not stop now.”

To make a donation to the crowdfunding campaign, which went live on April 15, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/swanage-skatepark.

Any business which could make a financial contribution is invited to get in touch with Heidi Florence, SSCP secretary, at swanageskatepark@gmail.com.

SSCP is also looking for volunteers to give their time to help the project in the long term.