Thanks to Zoe for sharing details of this brilliant upcoming auction which will launch a £50,000 fundraising campaign. Ed
On Friday 3rd April, an alliance of volunteers and community groups from Ventnor will be coming together to launch a £50,000 fundraising effort to improve Ventnor Skate park.
Originally built in 2001 with the help from local Mums and skateboarders, Ventnor Skate Park is a much-needed asset to the local youth and the community of Ventnor. Over the past fifteen years hundreds of volunteer hours and thousands of pounds have been spent building and maintaining the skate park, located in a stunning spot right on the seafront.
Storm damage never stops commitment
Despite some serious damage caused by storms in 2006, 2012 (one of which caused a massive wave to break over the park snapping the ramp in two) and again in 2014, fund-raising and maintenance works have never ceased. With the ongoing closures of youth facilities on the Island it is needed more now than ever.
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Although the efforts of a small band of volunteers have been tremendous, there have only ever really been enough funds to add to the park piece by piece.
Campaign to raise £50,000 in 12 months
Wight Trash Skateboards and Ventnor Skate Park Association are now launching a 12 month plan to raise £50,000 to finally make the park a permanent structure. This would transform the park into a concrete facility, free from continual need for repairs and creating another worthy tourist attraction for Ventnor.
John Cattle from Wight Trash said,
“It definitely has the potential to be one of the best skate parks in the UK, in a location that is hard to beat.”
The Big Art Auction
The £50,000 fundraising drive kicks off on 3rd April with The Big Art Auction.
Zoe Thompson, Ventnor Skate Park fundraising committee member, explained
“The original idea was to tie in with the amazing art community of Ventnor, and ask some local artists if they would donate work that we could then auction off to raise funds. I contacted Rachael Berry of The Undecided Art Collective, who put the word around, and the response has been awesome. It has meant that not only have we had donations of work from the local art community, but also from artists all around the UK.”
Internationally renowned artists
Work has been donated by internationally renowned artists such as Carne Griffiths, Ged Wells – Insane, and My Dog Sighs, as well as jewellery from Thrashion, sculpture from Al’s Auto Art, and a photograph taken and donated by Radio1 DJ, Rob da Bank.
Zoe said,
“It will be a chance for people to get their hands on some exclusive limited edition pieces, and do something great for our local community.”
Launch event in Ventnor
In association with the Undecided Art Collective, a launch evening on 3rd April will be held at the Ventnor Exchange in Church Street, Ventnor.
With Free Entry from 8pm, members of the public will have the chance to view the huge selection of artworks that have been donated by some of the UK’s most exciting contemporary Artists, as well as learn more about the work of the Skate Park committee, and volunteering opportunities.
All artwork will be available to bid on through a dedicated online auction site www.thebigartauction.com going live at 8pm on 3rd April and will run until 30th April.
All money raised will go towards helping the future of the skate park.
John Cattle commented,
“This is the perfect opportunity for the Island’s skateboarding community to express that they want a concrete park. We continue to battle to improve the skating facilities across the whole island, the more we can show these things are wanted, the more power we have to get future funding.”
Details about the park and the auction can be found on Facebook or the Ventnor Skate Park’s Website.
Anyone who is interested in donating, sponsorship or volunteering can contact Zoe on 07598133214.
