FUNDRAISING AND SPONSORSHIP
At a well-attended meeting held at the Chase Hotel in July 2018, we set out our vision to establish Ross Tennis Centre as the best tennis venue in Herefordshire. To achieve this we explained that we needed to raise a considerable sum of money to enable us to re-surface and re-fence the courts, as well as to refurbish the pavilion. We invited members and friends to consider donating or lending funds to the Centre, and local businesses to consider sponsorship arrangements. For those unable to provide financial support but who were keen to support the Centre in other ways, we outlined a range of opportunities for members to do so.
We have been delighted with the level of both financial and non-financial support we’ve received. These include donations and sponsorship amounting to some £22,000, as well as £24,000 of repayable loans. Together with an interest-free loan of £10,000 from Herefordshire & Worcestershire LTA, these have enabled us to re-surface and re-fence the upper two courts and to revamp the Pavilion. Through generous donations from Walford Timber and Mike & Ali O’Brien we have also acquired high quality benches and picnic tables which, together with the court and Pavilion refurbishment, have transformed the look and feel of the Centre.
We also now have an active Management Committee made up of member volunteers, while many other members contribute to the success of the Centre in other ways. We are immensely grateful to all those who have supported us so generously since 2018.
Although we are not looking for further loans at this time, we are still seeking donations and sponsorship. Herefordshire Community Foundation (HCF) has kindly agreed to collect donations on our behalf and ensure that all donations are ring-fenced for this project. They will also assist us in raising matched funding from other funding bodies. Donations received through HCF may also be gift-aided, adding 25% to the value of eligible donations.
If you would like to hear more about our project, can offer any assistance in fundraising or maintenance or might consider making a donation or sponsoring Ross Tennis Centre yourself, please call us on 07851 246035.
For donations through Herefordshire Community Foundation, any cheques should be made payable to The Herefordshire Community Foundation (with the reference of Ross Tennis Centre clearly written on the back) and sent to their offices at The Fred Bulmer Centre, Wall Street, Hereford, HR4 9HP, together with a completed Gift Aid Declaration form if appropriate. Download Gift Aid Declaration form here. They would also be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the benefits of donating via their organisation and can be contacted on 01432 272550.
Please ensure there is a reference to ‘Ross Tennis Centre CIC’ in any communication you have with HCF.
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