SUPPORTERS of Skipton Community Sports Hub are celebrating after its ambitious crowdfunding campaign – aimed at raising £20,000 in just 28-days – smashed its target; raising £21,567.

The total, which was raised through a staggering 183 donations, means the main social space and bar area of the 3,5000 sq ft building will be fully and stylishly furnished when it opens ahead of the new cricket season in Spring 2024.

Amongst the key donations were £8,000 from Sport England’s Places and Spaces’ initiative and £4,400 from the Friends of Aireville Park – the charity that helped transform the Skipton park and has recently announced that it is winding down after ten years.

Malcolm Birks, chairman of Skipton Community Sports Hub, said: “Times are tough,  so when we launched the crowdfunding campaign we were unsure if we’d get anywhere close to the target.

"So, to not only reach it, but easily surpass it goes to show the sheer generosity of people from all walks of life, and the importance put on the provision of a purpose-built hub that will provide a real focal point for grassroots sport in Skipton.”

He added: “I’d like to thank everyone who dug as deeply as they could to help us reach this monumental fundraising figure."

The Skipton Community Sports Hub is a joint project by Skipton Juniors FC and Skipton Cricket Club, which between them support the sporting activities of around 600 children and young people from the area.

Once complete, the facility will serve the wider Skipton community; with the hub expected to host various community groups and clubs, as well as being the focal point for a wide variety of sporting activities. It will feature a function room, bar, commercial kitchens, changing rooms and referee / umpire facilities. In addition, further funding is being sought for landscaping with the aim of improving accessibility and therefore opening up even more opportunities for activities and sports for disabled people.

The majority of the £750,000 needed for the project came through grants. With the Premier League, FA and Government providing £249,000 via the Football Foundation; the England and Wales Cricket Trust (EWCT) giving £100,000; and £382,622 coming from Craven District Council (now North Yorkshire Council) as per the Section 106 agreement with Yorkshire Housing for its Burnside development.

“The hub will be a huge step forward in community sports provision for Skipton and its surrounding areas, and we are all extremely excited that the opportunities it will provide are now within touching distance,” added Malcolm.

The Skipton Community Sports Hub has been designed by local architects, Rural Solutions and construction managed by S Simmonite General Contractors.

To find out more about the project visit www.skiptonsportshub.co.uk