Helen Grant, Member of Parliament for Maidstone and the Weald, has thrown her support behind a campaign to raise funds for a new 3G pitch at Marden Primary School.
Marden have been chosen as one of 7 schools in the country to be part of a pilot programme called 'mini pitches,' which aims to install multi-use sports facility across the country. The Football Association and the Football Foundation will cover the major part of the cost. However, the school must raise £20,000 of its own to contribute.
Helen met with Sam Clark-Keen, who is leading the project, last week to discuss his fundraising plans and to offer her support. He explained to her that the fundraising team at the primary school are already engaging with local businesses and intend to host a black tie dinner and put on a cake sale in the coming weeks.
Speaking after the meeting Helen said, 'Firstly, I would like to congratulate everyone at Marden Primary for their success in being chosen for this project, it is a huge achievement in itself and they should be very proud.
This is a fantastic opportunity which will not only benefit this excellent school and its pupils, but also the whole Marden community by creating a first class sports hub accessible to everyone. As a former resident of Marden, I am delighted to give it my full support. I very much hope that this is something that the whole village, including residents, businesses and local authorities, can get behind to ensure the plans come to fruition.'
Mr Clark-Keen said, 'I am incredibly excited to be leading this amazing project. To be one of only seven schools selected in the whole of England to work in conjunction with the English Football Association to deliver a mini pitch to our rural community is fantastic. The impact and benefits the pitch will have on our school and our community are huge. This will improve our provision of sport and will provide our village with a central sports hub and a first class facility that will be accessible to all. Our fundraising goal is £20,000 towards the total costs of the project and any support we receive will help fund a fantastic community project that will benefit so many.'