David Stone Opens BMX Track

News Posted: 25 March 2009

Source: Barclays

A double gold medal winner at the Paralympic Games in Beijing last year, David Stone MBE, from Leeds, joined members of the local community for the official opening of a new BMX Track in Brampton Bierlow, near Rotherham in S. Yorkshire, on behalf of Barclays Spaces for Sports.

Following a £50,000 cash injection from Barclays and support from Groundwork UK, the site comprises a new BMX track and starter ramp. The site at Bierlow Park will provide a much needed facility for local people, who have had to wait for its arrival after the new track was severely damaged in the floods back in 2007.

Cyclist David Stone joined a number of local youngsters at the launch, and was able to show off his bicycle and the two gold medals he won at the Paralympic Games in Beijing last summer. Youngsters took part in cycling activities, including races, with local MP John Healey also in attendance.

The site is part of the Barclays Spaces for Sports initiative and will receive a further £20,000 from Barclays as development funding to ensure the site has a long-term future.  Since the announcement of the scheme in September 2004, Barclays Spaces for Sports has created 200 sites across the UK, giving over half a million disadvantaged people the opportunity to benefit from sport.

Paralympian David Stone said: "I think it's great that Barclays Spaces for Sports has invested in this new track in Brampton Bierlow. It will be a major benefit to the local community, and especially young people, giving them a great opportunity to enjoying BMX riding, encouraging them to keep fit, lead healthier lifestyles and potentially helping to produce the next top British riders."

Lee Cartwright, Rotherham Branch Manager for Barclays, said: "Barclays believes that sport has a key role to play in revitalising our communities and sites like this one in Brampton Bierlow are central to this. The new site will make BMX biking more accessible and encourage a new wave of participants to enjoy the facilities on offer."

Tony Hawkhead, Chief Executive at Groundwork, said: "Not only will this site provide a local resource for young people and adults to boost their health and fitness, it will also provide a focal point for members of different communities to interact and come together. By investing in sports at grassroots level Barclays Spaces for Sports is also helping to build stronger neighbourhoods."

The new site has also been fully supported by Brampton Bierlow Parish Council and Councillor Audrey Hart, Chair of the Parish Council, said: "I would like to thank Barclays for their financial support to the BMX track which was already a big hit with local riders, and which will be the base of a range of cycling activities planned for the whole community this year."

Barclays Spaces for Sports has operated in the UK via a successful partnership between Barclays, the Football Foundation and Groundwork.