Former members raise the roof at Worthing Boys Club
There have been problems for a few years but the more recent major leak caused club leader Nikki Chapman concerns they would not be able to open again if they could not get the roof replaced.
Desperate attempts to find a reliable roofer failed, until former club member Jimmy McBride came forward.
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Hide AdHis Worthing-based company, Jimmy McBride Roofing, was the only one to provide a written quote and as the club holds a special place in his heart, he kept the costs as low as possible.
He said he was 'doing a good deed for the local community, doing what no one else wanted to'.
Writing on the club's Facebook page, he added: "Very nostalgic as I was a member here nearly 30 years ago - and it’s not changed one bit."
A donation of £5,000 was made in memory of Fred Edwards, the club leader before Nikki, and fundraising via social media resulted in a donations of £2,300, plus Worthing Lions pledged £1,500.
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Hide AdThen, Paul Whittington, who works in the timber yard at Gardner and Scardifield in Lancing approached Nikki to see if he could help with materials.
Paul's late wife, Dee, was a huge supporter of the boys' club and he is following in her wake. After he spoke to his bosses, the company agreed to donate 50 sheets of smart ply, helping to significantly reduce the costs of repairing the roof.
Problems with the roof started ten years ago, when the lead was stolen. Although repairs were made, the years have not been kind and the roof got to the point it needed replacing.
Nikki said: "We have lasted this long and with a new roof, plan to last even longer.”
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Hide AdThe club, a registered charity, was founded in 1936 and has been relying on fundraising for 12 years, since grants from West Sussex County Council were cut.
It has been unable to open since last March, so fundraising has been particularly difficult.
Visit www.worthingboysclub.co.uk for more information.