Chester FC Community Trust is delighted to announce it has received a £40,000 donation from the Ursula Keyes Trust for King George V Sports Hub.
Ursula Keyes Trust is a Chester-based charitable trust supporting organisations and individuals in the area with a focus on health, social care, cultural and leisure causes.
The £1.6 million scheme to transform King George V playing fields in Blacon into a thriving community sports facility is a collaboration between Cheshire West & Chester Council, the Community Trust and key stakeholders.
Subject to planning, the development includes a new floodlit 3G pitch and clubhouse with changing rooms and community facilities, improved grass pitches and refurbished pavilion with the facilities available for grassroots clubs and leagues to use.
“We are extremely grateful to the Ursula Keyes Trust for this substantial donation towards King George V Sports Hub,” said Jim Green, chief executive of Chester FC Community Trust.
“This is a sizeable step forward for the project and recognises the wider social benefits and impact the sports hub will have for the community, creating much needed facilities for sport and leisure and enabling residents to take part in a wide range of activities promoting healthy lifestyles and improving their quality of life.”
The council is investing in the project as part of a wider £2 million commitment to improve football facilities across the borough with further funding from national governing bodies and section 106 agreements.
Businessman Stuart Murphy has agreed to donate £200,000 to the scheme with the Community Trust aiming to raise £300,000 through public donations, fundraising events and support from local businesses.
“The support of the Ursula Keyes Trust means the campaign has now passed £50,000 which is really positive,” said Green.
“We are confident of attracting further external funding, however we have to continue to demonstrate the project has the support of fans and the wider community through our own fundraising activities and we encourage people to keep doing what they can help us bring this fantastic facility to Chester.”
Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/campaign/kgvsportshub and further information about the project can be found at www.kgvsportshub.co.uk.
If you would like to know more about the plans, have any questions or would like to be involved in the project, please contact Community Trust chief executive Jim Green on 01244 371376 or email jim.green@chesterfc.com.