Always on
This project successfully funded on 11th December 2025, you can still support them with a donation.
This project successfully funded on 11th December 2025, you can still support them with a donation.
To build an all weather path giving all year access to Horam Recreation Ground for people of all abilities and to increase physical activity
Who are we?
We are Horam Village Hall & Recreation Ground Charity in Horam, East Sussex, and we are trying to raise funds for phase 3 of the GAP project. We have already installed an all-weather path around the top field and a pumptrack and now to complete the project we just need to raise £30K to continue the path on the bottom field. As a not-for-profit organisation, we rely on donations and grants to help us to develop community facilities, that’s where we hope you can help!
More than just a recreation ground...
We are a village hall situated on the recreation ground in Horam, the land was bequeathed to the village by Constance Scott in 1948 with 'the object of improving the life for the said inhabitants of Horam'. The trustees are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive hub for our rural village providing health and educational benefits to the people of Horam by providing facilities the whole family can enjoy in one place to avoid travel to neighbouring towns. Using the original plans for the recreation ground, the current Management Committee is committed to upholding the original Constitution of providing various forms of leisure time activities for the purpose of improving physical and mental wellbeing of the community
Why are we fundraising?
Following public consultation there was overwhelming support from local people the Gap project, this was shown by generous donations to the phase 2, the pumptrack which we have delivered. Phase 3 is the pathway loop around the lower field by the allotments and we feel Crowdfunder is the way to make it happen. Our local population will soon double due to new housing and there will be a big increase in users of all ages and abilities.
Why we NEED your help!
We need to raise £130K for the lower field pathway and resurfacing the access road. WDC have a new grant scheme called Community Led Infrastructure Fund (CLIF) and hopefully they will support our project with £100k but we have to find the other £30K. We already have planning permission, and we will be installing an eco/sustainable pathway, when complete together with the existing path it will create a ‘figure of 8’ pathway measuring exactly one kilometre long. For donations of over £500 your name or business can be added to our sponsor board listing all the donors that have helped us achieve our dream for Horam.
Community impact
The project aims to address health issues by increasing physical activity opportunities, free of charge, all year round, for residents. The improvements will address isolation by providing a social arena in which to make friends, socialise, and improve mental well-being. Once installed the pathway will be used by pedestrians and cyclists, including mobility scooters and wheelchairs, buggies and toddler balance bikes. The pathway will attract many who simply could not use the space before. Local people said they wanted organised family activities on the pathway, specialised events such as park runs, nature trails for children, fun runs, and regular health walks run by volunteers. Phase 1 has also allowed us to increase the biodiversity of the recreation ground with the creation of a meadow area, planting hedgerows, installing bird boxes and bug hotels. We have also enhanced the area with more benches, litter bins and a cycle rack. Since the pandemic and the construction of phrase 1 and 2, the recreation ground has seen a big increase in use, and it has highlighted the amazing value of such a space to local residents.
What the community says (comments from our survey)
• "Hope it happens as looks lovely. Good initiative. Lovely for kids and go for a walk"
• "Would provide a convenient place to cycle and have fun"
• "Physical activity facilities like these are very beneficial for people of all ages"
• "Amazing idea, more cycling needed"
• "Have a disabled daughter so cannot walk on grass so perfect idea"
• "The pathway is a wonderful idea for people like myself with mobility issues" (Electric wheelchair user)
• "Would be lovely as knee problem, difficulty walking on grass"
• "Mayfield Children’s home use (the recreation ground) and are disabled. Please do it. Path needed"
• "We need to be able to walk around the rec all year. Great idea"
• "Safe perimeter to walk baby in buggy"
• "I’m sure it will get used, especially by parents with young children, giving them somewhere safe to learn and practice biking, scooting, rollerblading etc"
• "Another great asset for the community to meet and share whilst being more active physically"
• "An excellent health and wellbeing project for all ages, especially the children need it"
• "To walk, cycle, in a safe area while grandchildren scoot or cycle in a family"
• "Good to have somewhere to walk in any weather away from traffic"
• "Given current situation, facilities like this should be implemented for people who are socially isolated"
• "Great opportunity, allow more people to use recreation ground. Open up area to disabled users"
• "Improve mental health for children"
• "Supportive of all efforts to increase health, wellbeing and fitness of our local community and feel this would be of benefit, fully support the proposals"
• "Benefits health and the environment as we will be able to get there without driving"
• "Benefits to exercising home educated children"
• "I have been thinking for years that we need a running track in Horam I run 1-2x a week and it will be great to have an all weather circuit"
• "Healthy activities for children in the area and would encourage a healthier lifestyle"
• "Get to use the lower field as well"
Why should I care about a path around the recreation ground?
• An all-weather eco/sustainable pathway will open up the recreation ground including the lower field providing opportunities for exercise all year round, adding phase 3 will create a path of 1km giving opportunities for events such as park runs and personal fitness.
• Being outdoors offers amazing health and personal development benefits for all ages, all abilities and is free of charge
• The pathway will give access to the recreation ground to people with mobility issues
YOUR SUPPORT will help us to:
• Provide free, open access, off road exercising facilities
• Improve mental health and wellbeing in our community
• Brings various groups in our community together
• Reduce travel to physical exercise in other parts of the county
• Provide healthy, outdoor, social and accessible exercise
• Provide new skills and hone existing skills
• Provide a facility that the community wants, community cohesion.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made