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Monday 10 Apr 2017

Facelift for Willingdon Trees community centre after £10,000 funding boost from Network Rail

Region & Route:

| Southern

Willingdon Trees community centre and its members are set to benefit from a £10,000 funding boost from Network Rail. 

The money will now go towards giving the community centre a much needed facelift and providing a social club which will offer free activities for young people and families in the area.

The funding, which was awarded following a public vote on three potential schemes, is part of a Network Rail pilot project which aims to help the company work more closely with railway neighbours and communities.

John Halsall, Network Rail’s route managing director for the South East, said: “Our rail network connects communities across the region and we’re always looking for ways to engage with people who live and work alongside the railway.

“We recently closed Willingdon Trees level crossing because of concerns that it was being misused, especially by young people. I’m really pleased that we can now support the local community centre in its efforts to provide engaging activities for local young people and families in the area.”

Emma Jordan from Sussex Community Development Association said: “Thank you to Network Rail for getting behind our community and giving the centre a welcome funding boost.  It is such a vital community asset and with the extra resource we can provide more activities for young people and families, and also undertake some long overdue repairs and improvements”.