Southwold Sailing Club bids to raise £80,000 to safeguard future

A crowdfunding campaign to safeguard the future of a sailing club has "got off to a great start", organisers have said.

Southwold Sailing Club in Suffolk is trying to raise £80,000 to build a new concrete slipway to ensure safe access to the tidal water on the River Blyth.

The current slipway, used to launch dinghies, has worn away and the club launched a fundraising campaign in August to raise £30,000 towards the overall sum needed.

More than £6,500 (22%) has already been raised and Sport England has now agreed to donate in £15,000 of match funding once 25% of the target has been reached from 100 unique pledges.

The club was founded in 1949 and celebrated its 75th anniversary this year.

In the early 1980s a group of volunteers installed the current slipway which is now no longer stable.

The concrete has eroded and the club said dinghy launching could now only happen at high tide, limiting the sailing opportunities available.

The club's commodore Henry Walker said: "It's fantastic to see our community supporting this project and we can't wait to see the Sport England award showing as soon as we hit 25% of the target.

"We want to extend a big thank you to Sport England as well as those who have already donated to this cause and are helping to keep our vision alive.

"This will benefit the wider community for decades to come and we want residents and families to safely enjoy time on the water, have a go at sailing and discover what an amazing and inclusive activity it is."

Earlier this year, club managers said the organisation would be put under threat without the cash injection.

A new slipway would require specialist equipment and expertise to sheet pile the perimeter of the slipway and to prepare and fill the area with concrete.