Hailsham Active is all about improving sports facilities in and around Hailsham. Hailsham has experienced a lack of facilities, a major contributor to this is the fact that there is no legal requirement for government or councils to provide facilities. The lack of facilities is a significant factor in the poor health of the town’s residents and there is a financial cost to this. It is estimated that if the health of local people was to improve to the national standard, the NHS would save £10m per annum.
The whole community needs to change their attitude and change from a poor perception to a more positive outlook using peer pressure to start and continue the change. The attitude must be “what we can do”.
This year we have launched THIS TOWN CAN, I CAN an initiative to raise awareness of sports and lifestyle changes. The concept also helps raise awareness of the bigger projects Hailsham Active want to achieve including ‘The Big Path Project’. Getting people more active by creating a network of paths in and around Hailsham. The paths would be 2.5m wide and there is an opportunity to create around 8.5km of paths. These can be used all year round for walking, cycling and running. Hailsham Active are also championing the “Daily Mile” which is a path around a school playing field to encourage children out of the classroom.
We kick start the year with development on the Western Road Recreation Ground, which has been identified to secure £5,000, from Fields In Trust to fund an activity programme starting in the spring for around 30 – 50 weeks. The activity will take place on a Saturday morning and will target groups including the young and disabled. There is a further grant of £25,000 that can be applied for; that if successful can be used to help finance a path around the Rec. The overall cost will be between £75,000 and £100,000. Other funding will be sought from local councils and businesses and from developer contributions already secured by Wealden District Council for the provision of recreational facilities.
Watch this space for more updates and news, or better still get involved! Contact us for volunteer roles.
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