A BMX club renowned for training world champions including Britain’s first black BMX star, has launched an appeal to fund the upgrade of a Lambeth bike track. Brixton BMX Club, whose alumnus includes racing legend Charlie Reynolds, and BMX World Championship bronze medallist Tre Whyte, hopes to raise at least £150,000. Cash donated will support the renovation of a popular BMX track located at Brockwell Park.
“We’re having to put pressure on the Council to trim the overgrowth on the track”, said Ken Floyde who founded the club after the 1981 Brixton Riots. “If you came here two weeks ago, you would have seen how it looked with all the overgrowth. It looked uncared for and more like a wildlife garden than an actual BMX track”.
Alan Hay, who has been riding for more than 15 years and assists with coaching sessions at the club said: “We are having clear what you see here by hand. We have no machinery, we’ve got no funds, but we all do this because we love it”.
Club press officer Mike Woof says Brixton BMX Club is “struggling on a hand-to-mouth budget” and described the situation as “desperate”.
“I think the value of what a grassroots club likes ours brings to the community is incalculable. It’s a shame it’s not recognised”, said Mr Woof who is pictured below. “We are hosting one of the London Series events in September and this track needs to be up to scratch for that”.
Aside from essential repairs funds raised by the club will also cover the costs of equipment for local riding enthusiasts all of ages.
“We have about 80 members ranging from four-year-old strider bike riders, to people who are aged from five to 60”, Mr Hay added. “We have people of all abilities, all ages and all backgrounds here. We’ll take on anybody who wants learn”.
For more information Brixton BMX Club’s fundraising appeal and training sessions visit www.brixtonbmx.co.uk
Hi Mike
You’re welcome and I’m glad you have had a good response. I hope it helps with your fundraising. Having seen Kelly in action I’m tempted to take up BMX riding myself.
As the STRIDER distributor if we can help in any way please let us know
Hello KAREN
I was wondering if your company STRIDER BIKES UK is able to SPONSOR the
BRIXTON BMX CLUB by FUNDING the UPGVRADE to the BRIXTON BMX TRACK in
BROCKWELL PARK.
We estimate that this will COST £50.000.
Alternatively YOU can GIVE SPONSORSHIP to the BRIXTON BMX CLUB in other ways.
If YOU are interested then YOU can contact me by EMAIL at KENFLOYDEBMXMAN@HOTMAIL.CO.UK or by PHONE on 0208 671 5401
Yours Sincerely
KEN FLOYDE
Club SECRETARY and FOUNDER of the BRIXTON BMX CLUB
Thanks for the great article on us Sandra and thanks too for the excellent photography. I posted a link to the piece on Facebook and it’s collecting quite a few views and positive comments there also.