Archery club on target with fundraising to improve disability access

Archers have hit gold with their fundraising campaign after being awarded a grant from Persimmon Homes South East.

The five-star housebuilder presented the Medway Archers with a cheque for £5,000 from their Community Champions fund to enable them to carry out works to their shooting field at The Strand Leisure Park in Gillingham.

The club want to install an all-weather surfacing along their shooting line, improving access for those with restricted mobility and giving the club year-round access to the range.

Medway Archers has 40 members, aged between 13 and 80, and members compete in national competitions with some members among the top archers in the country.

Member Hannah Brown, who recently judged the men’s archery final at the Paris Olympics, said: “We are very grateful for this donation which will open up the range to our members who are in wheelchairs or who have restricted mobility and allow them to shoot throughout the year

“Thank you to Persimmon for supporting our club and enabling us to carry out these works ahead of the winter season.”

Martin Crick, Managing Director for Persimmon Homes South East, said: “Persimmon Homes is proud to support our communities and help clubs such as Medway Archers to open up their facilities to everyone, including those who rely on wheelchairs.

“We offer donations throughout the year to local schools, charities and clubs and welcome applications from those across Kent and East Sussex.”

Cllr Adam Price, Medway Council member for Gillingham North Ward, joined the presentation and shot some arrows with members. He said: “I was pleased to join Medway Archers and Persimmon Homes at the presentation at The Strand. Congratulations to the archers for making their sport more accessible to people with disabilities, and to Persimmon Homes for their sponsorship.”